Ablett backed to have 2020 impact

GARY Ablett has been backed in by his teammates to have an impact in 2020, his 19th season at AFL level.

Ablett and Harry Taylor both agreed to new one-year contracts last week and will be 34 and 36 respectively next season.

The Cats have said Ablett will not have any different management plans next year, just a commitment to ensure he peaks later in the season.

Captain Joel Selwood and champion Patrick Dangerfield both welcomed the news that Ablett and Taylor would play on into next year.

Ablett enjoyed a strong start to 2019, but his form dipped late and he struggled to have the same impact in finals.

Selwood said he was confident 345-gamer Ablett could still offer a lot at AFL level.

“(He was in) All-Australian form throughout the year. We shouldn’t forget that,” Selwood said. “He played some unbelievable footy this year, kicked goals. And he’s still got his speed and still got the hunger to do it. That’s the important thing. Let’s see more of what we saw this year.”

Dangerfield described Ablett and Taylor’s contracts as “really special” for the club.

“It’s a great show of faith from both ends. Harry could have left many years ago and chased big contracts back in Western Australia,” Dangerfield said. “He chose to stay and what a wonderful player he has been for us.

“And for Gaz, into a 19th season, there are very few that have played that many seasons and played at the level he has.

“I think the Little Master has got a few more highlights for us yet.”

Taylor, who struggled with a foot injury in 2018, rebounded back to some of his best form in 2019, playing 24 games for the season.

“Harry felt good this year,” Selwood said. “It was good to see him back in that form that he wanted to be in, and play the footy that he did. He’ll show up back at training and be the best prepared and he’ll give us what we need next year.”