Gazza the best I’ve seen, declares Bomber
GEELONG coaching great Mark “Bomber” Thompson says a premiership in Gary Ablett’s final game would be a fitting end for “the best player I’ve seen”.
Thompson, who coached Ablett to two flags in 2007 and 2009, said he rated the Cats champ ahead of his famous father Gary Ablett Sr, North Melbourne great Wayne Carey and Hawthorn legend Leigh Matthews.
“I didn’t see everything of Leigh Matthews but I saw him up close. He was a great player, but I reckon Gaz is just cleaner and probably won more of the ball,” Thompson said.
“He’s certainly had the longevity, he’s been highly successful and has won all of the awards.”
Ablett plays game 357 in the grand final at the Gabba on Saturday night to complete a 19-season career that has netted two Brownlow medals, eight All Australian jumpers, six best-and-fairests and five AFLPA MVPs.
“I think the ones from his peer group are probably the most special and most telling on how good a career he has had because umpires and media awards can sometimes get it wrong, but players know who the best player in the competition is,” Thompson said. “When I watch football and he’s playing the game, I still get excited when he goes near the ball.
“I never saw (Bob) Skilton or (Darrel) Baldock play but I know there are some people, when they go near the ball, they have an ability to get it all the time — and he has that and he gets out of areas that he shouldn’t be able to get out of, and still uses the ball at a high standard — and he kicks goals.
“I was very lucky to have the chance to coach him.”
Thompson said he could recall “vividly” Ablett’s first senior game against Essendon at the MCG in Round 1, 2002.
“I remember he won a ball and was quite hesitant, and didn’t realise how quick the game was — but he quickly adapted to that,” he said.
Thompson watched Ablett Jr play for the first time in a trial game at Windy Hill for the Vic Country Under 18s side.
“I went up there with (Geelong recruiting boss) Stephen Wells to watch Gazza play and we also found Stevie J that day. Those two put on a show,” he said.
“Gary played on ball and I just noticed his ability to win the ball and carry it and use it so perfectly. He looked comfortable at that level like he looks comfortable playing AFL. His ball use was outstanding.”
It was obvious early on that Ablett was a good AFL player, but Thompson said he was verging on great within “a couple of years at the club”.
“He just started to consistently play at a high level and once he started playing at that level I don’t think I ever saw him play an average game,” Thompson said.
“He never, ever — once he got going — played a droppable game, where you thought he’s had an awful game, like if he wasn’t Gazza and he played another one of them, he might be dropped.
“He’s got a gift from God — literally. He got a fair advantage there but you don’t do what he has done with just ability, he certainly had inner drive and high standards.
“He was a spectacular bloke on and off the ground.”
Thompson said his favourite memories of Ablett were his two goals from the boundary at Kardinia Park, “one playing for Geelong and one for Gold Coast”.
He conceded his relationship with Ablett became strained in 2010 as the star midfielder was being lured with a Godfather offer to sign with the Gold Coast Suns.
“The AFL were pulling him away but it was OK in the end,” Thompson said. “I knew he was going and it was a shame that he left, but in saying that he probably played better footy up at the Gold Coast because he had to go and get his own ball. There weren’t as many stars in the side, but he still came out shining. “It didn’t matter what they threw at him, he’s conquered all.”
On how the younger Ablett handled being the son of Gary Ablett Sr, Thompson said: “Gary’s always been cautious about it but he’s become his own person. He’s probably more public than his dad and looks as though he handles it well. He wouldn’t have played this long if he hated what he was doing.
“For the responsibility football clubs have, between us and the Gold Coast and the AFL — everyone has done a good job in developing Gary into the person he has become. He’s a great person.”
He said a premiership “would be a great way for anyone to wrap up their career, but certainly his career — he’s had a good one”.
WHEN I WATCH FOOTBALL AND HE’S PLAYING THE GAME, I STILL GET EXCITED WHEN HE GOES NEAR THE BALL ... I WAS VERY LUCKY TO HAVE THE CHANCE TO COACH HIM.”