Ayres says Cats face easy decision to name Ablett
FORMER Geelong coach Gary Ayres says it would be “a pretty easy call” to bring Gary Ablett back into the side from his quarantine stint.
Ablett was released from the transition hub on Tuesday, rejoining teammates for the first time in two months after returning to Victoria to be with family.
Ayres said it would be a straightforward decision to bring the 352-game champion back into the team against Sydney on Sunday.
“Geelong is a pretty professional outfit so I’d say they would have had him, as much as you can, trained up in these unusual times,” Ayres said.
“He would have done everything right and that’s why he’s been the great player that he has.”
Ablett declared when he left Victoria he would be “ready to go” for a tilt at a third premiership.
Ayres said Geelong would have expertly managed the 36year-old’s loads to get him ready for finals.
“The guys would know there is a possible premiership up for grabs and Gazza would no doubt be in their plans for that,” Ayres said.
“The physicality side of things … you can only do what you can do.
“I guess the shortened quarters (help) also.
“You can use him however you want. I think they’d be pretty careful to monitor his loads and all that sort of stuff.”
Ayres said he would have no concerns over his preparation.
“It wasn’t like he wasn’t in great form when he left,” he said.
“Sydney … I’d say they’re pretty much one of the more improved sides of the second half of the season so you’re probably going to get a pretty good hitout.
“The bye, I reckon that’s (more) in his favour than not if they were going straight into finals.”