Fitness may delay Ablett’s comeback for Warriors
MODEWARRE fans will have to wait until tonight to find out whether boom recruit Nathan Ablett lines up to take on Torquay in the BFL season opener.
Ablett was not named in the squad last night to take on the Tigers, but Warriors coach Josh Finch said the club was taking a “wait-and-see” ap- proach with the forward, who has had an indifferent pre-season.
“We’ll give him every possible chance to play,” Finch said.
Ablett will form part of a formidable forward setup throughout the year alongside Luke Forbes and Chris Mamalis.
He last lined up for Modewarre in 2004, the year before he made his debut with Geelong.
Finch was in the early stages of his senior career at the time, while close mate John Meesen was also picked up in the same draft as Ablett by Adelaide.
Meesen has switched from Eastern Football League club Balwyn Tigers this year and taken on a co-coaching role, with Finch saying it would be exciting to play with his good friend for Modewarre.
“I obviously played with him up in the Northern Territory but pulling on our junior jumpers together I’m really looking forward to it,” he said.
“He’s a quality player and has been unbelievable for the group as a new coach in changing our styles and techniques so really looking forward to playing with him tomorrow.
“That’s the beauty of the points system is getting junior players back to the club. Leigh and I have probably been the only ones who have continued on from winning an under-16s flag, but now we’ve got Nath and John back and a few household names from the footy club back in, it’s just a very enjoyable process when we see that happen.”