Cat cool with new role for Geelong

VETERAN superstar Gary Ablett says his critics need to consider his changing role within the Geelong side when assessing his output in matches.

Ablett returned to form against Carlton after a disappointing performance against Essendon last week, but it was more than just the 25 possessions, eight marks, four tackles, three inside-50s and a goal that stood out.

His ability to have an impact at key points in the game meant the Cats were often able to steady the ship as Carlton came hard at them.

Ablett conceded he was down after last week’s match, but said commentators might have to begin assessing him in different ways as he begins to spend less time in the midfield.

“Let’s make this clear, I’m 34years-old and I have been running through the midfield for a long time,” Ablett said.

“People shouldn’t expect that I’m going to be getting 30-plus possessions every week. I’m trying to play my role for the team and some weeks that is going to be playing 70 per cent down forward, some weeks it is going to be playing a bit more through the midfield like tonight.

“I said after the game that I was disappointed with my performance last week; that wasn’t necessarily around the amount of possessions I had, but just the influence that I didn’t have on the game. But I felt I played my role tonight and I was happy with my performance.”

It was a homecoming of sorts for Ablett, who hadn’t played at Kardinia Park since Round 22, 2010, when he had 33 disposals and kicked four goals in a 44-point win against West Coast.

He didn’t quite reach those heights against Carlton but he celebrated with the crowd after his goal in the first quarter and said it was a nice feeling being home.

“It was great, it really was, I was really excited leading into this game, it had obviously been a long time since I played down here for the Cats,” he said.

“For me, you forget how loud the crowd is, and it is great in a close game like that where it is scrappy knowing you’ve got the crowd behind you, so it was good fun.”

Ablett will now turn his focus to taking on his former side Gold Coast, which is coming off a bye following a loss to Port Adelaide in China.