Adding to the Ablett silverware
NATHAN Ablett has never been one for the fanfare.
So when the opportunity arose to return to his junior club Modewarre, the Geelong 2007 premiership player was keen to fly under the radar.
“I just wanted to sneak in,” he said in his first interview this season, moments after the Warriors’ grand final triumph on Saturday.
“I didn’t want a big hoo-ha or anything like that. I just wanted to play footy and see how my body would hold up and try and enjoy it again.
“I’ve been out of the game for so long and to come back — I thought I wasn’t in the best every week — but I did my role and contributed to the team, so I’m pretty happy about that.”
With his famous father Gary Sr and champion brother Gary Jr watching on, Nathan played a significant role in helping Modewarre to victory.
“It was great to see them. I had quite a bit of family here supporting me, which was good,” Nathan said.
“It’s always a bonus when you get up so you can have a little bit of laugh together and celebrate a very good win.”
Eleven years after breaking a 44-year premiership drought with the Geelong Cats, Nathan was part of Modewarre’s maiden BFL premiership and the club’s first senior flag since 1994.
He said he never envisaged playing in a winning grand final, having only returned to football this season after a 34-game AFL career at Geelong and Gold Coast.
“When I signed for Modewarre, it was just about enjoyment,” he said.
“I know a few of the guys here; Johnny Meesen, Josh Finch, that I played at Modewarre with as a junior.
“(But) I never knew we had such a good side like this. It was an up and down season — we lost some that we should have won and we won some that we should have lost.
“It was hard to determine what we were like coming into the finals but we were able to come into a bit of form and here we are.”
Moments after receiving his premiership medallion, Nathan said the flag was “special” for the community.
“It means a lot to the town. MoriacModewarre’s not a big town,” he said.
“Twenty years ago, I remember we struggled for numbers out there. It’s grown a bit, but to a lot of people at this club, I think it means a lot, and I think there’ll be a few guys taking a week or two off work.”
Basking in the glory, Nathan admitted it was difficult to describe the emotions of the win.
“If I’m comparing it to the ’07 (Geelong) premiership, the feeling’s still there — you’re with your mates and to win like this, in any form, is great,” he said.
“I don’t think it really hits until a little bit later, to be honest. Right now, you congratulate and you celebrate, but I think during the week’s when it starts to sink in.”
The 32-year-old hasn’t ruled out playing next season.
“I’d like to. I’d like to have a good pre-season and go again. We’ll see what happens,” he said.