GAZ STILL HAS MAGIC

HE’S still got it.

It’s hard to fathom, yes, but 36-year-old Gary Ablett still has the magic, matchwinning touch that will ensure ample headaches for rival sides this season.

Just ask Hawthorn, which was on the end of the latest Ablett masterclass as he inspired the Cats to a thumping 61-point victory at GMHBA Stadium on Friday night.

But there was something different about this latest vintage display from the Geelong superstar in game 347.

The freakish skills, footy smarts, polished finishing — Bombers champion Matthew Lloyd declared in-game that Ablett might be the best finisher in AFL history — clean hands, deft touch by foot, flawless decision-making — all the quintessential Ablett characteristics were there.

But his body shape had changed.

The eight-time All-Australian appeared to be supporting a stronger frame — a frame that’ll suit his forward-50 role even more this year.

Brownlow medallist Gerard Healy said Ablett was best on ground against Hawthorn “by a fair way”.

“Whatever Gary Ablett’s been doing in the past eight weeks, I’d like to know about it,” Healy told Fox Footy’s The First Crack.

“He doesn’t look as fit as he potentially has been over the years, but he doesn’t have to be, because he’s a 36-year-old who’s going to play within 40m of goal.

“He’s so clean and he’s so creative and you can see the brain hasn’t lost any of its ‘computer parts’.”

According to the Official AFL Player Ratings — the best measure when ranking AFL players, according to Champion Data — Ablett was the best player on the ground on Friday night. And by a long way.

Ablett produced a quintessentially classy and bang-forbuck performance, bamboozling Hawthorn to finish with two goals from 21 disposals and six inside 50s.

But just as important was his ability to bring his teammates into the game. Of his 21 disposals, seven turned into scores and two led directly to goals.

Cats coach Chris Scott said Ablett was one of several older Cats players that had benefited from — and made the most of — the AFL shutdown period.

When Ablett re-signed for the 2020 season, he declared; “This is it. Next season … will be my last in the game.”

But on the Round 2 evidence, there might be a push for the dual Brownlow medallist to reconsider.

“When you’re looking at age it (his career) is finished. When you look at the way he’s played, you should never look at age,” legendary coach Mick Malthouse told ABC Grandstand. FOX FOOTY