Ablett Sr ‘worthy’ of footy Hall of Fame honour
GEELONG president Colin Carter has backed calls for Gary Ablett Sr to be recognised as a legend in the Australian Football Hall of Fame.
Ablett was inducted as a member in 2005, nine years after he played his last senior match for the Cats against North Melbourne in a qualifying final at the MCG.
Part of the reason for the lengthy wait stemmed from the Hall of Fame’s selection criteria, which notes that the committee may consider a candidate’s individual record, ability, integrity, sportsmanship and character as part of the nomination process.
The latter measure was seen as a stumbling block following some controversial offfield incidents, but having met the committee’s criteria 13 years ago, close friends of Ablett believe the time is right for him to be bestowed legend status.
Although there is no specific push from the Geelong Football Club, it is understood they would welcome his elevation.
Carter said while he hadn’t spoken to Ablett about his status in the Hall of Fame, he was sure the 56-year-old would be named as a legend in the coming years.
“We absolutely hope and expect that he will be there one day,” Carter said.
“Whether this is the right timing or not, I’m not across their criteria, but he’d be a very worthy recipient of that honour when the time comes.
“I look forward to it happening and if it’s this year it’s great, but whenever would be terrific.
“He is a pretty reserved bloke but I’m sure he would appreciate it when it happens.”
An online poll from the Geelong Advertiser yesterday had 83 per cent of respondents say Ablett should be made a legend in the Australian Football Hall of Fame.
Ablett is widely considered to be one of the greatest players to ever play the game and his football CV is simply phenomenal.
He played 248 VFL/AFL games, 11 state of origin games for Victoria (including one as captain), won a Norm Smith Medal, a Carji Greeves Medal, three Coleman medals, a Leigh Matthews Trophy as the AFL MVP, was selected in four VFL/AFL teams of the year and won four All-Australian guernseys, was a nine-time leading goalkicker at Geelong, and a member of both the Cats and the AFL teams of the century.
Former teammate Billy Brownless said he was certain Ablett would one day be given legend status in the Hall of Fame, but added he was up against some formidable competition this year.
“That would be nice, of course, we’d like to see that, but he is up against some very big legends,” Brownless said.
“I think it is either Gaz or it’s Kevin Sheedy and whoever it’s not will become a legend, but I think maybe with Sheeds and his body of work — and he’s been involved in footy for 50 years in coaching and playing — something tells me he might get the nod.
“It would be good to see (Gary) get it but I think it might be Sheedy.”
With the return of Gary Jr this season it is understood both Geelong’s past players and current team members are hopeful Ablett will make an appearance at one of the club’s matches throughout the year.