MY HOME GROUND
ABLETT RETURNS TO THE CATTERY
AFTER seven years on the Gold Coast — which netted four best and fairest awards, a second Brownlow Medal and precious little in the way of team success — Gary Ablett came home to Catland yesterday having been traded back to Geelong last month. And if all goes according to plan, the second coming of the midfield genius could last well beyond two seasons.
A REJUVENATED Gary Ablett is craving a return to September action and a third premiership tilt with Geelong.
The Cats’ prodigal son was back in the blue and white hoops at GMHBA Stadium yesterday and declared he was physically and mentally ready to resume his mantle as one of the game’s best players.
“I am super excited about coming back and getting into it, and hopefully winning plenty of games and having a crack at the premiership,” Ablett said.
Despite an injury-plagued end to his time at Gold Coast, the dual Brownlow medallist was confident he had a plenty of petrol left in the tank.
“I want to be out there all 22 games and hopefully finals footy,” he said. “The body is feeling great. I have been doing a fair bit of training just to make sure I am ready to go day one of pre-season.
“No issues with the shoulder. Obviously I missed a fair bit of footy last season but I am on top of that now and I’ve spent a bit of time with the physios and the doctor and I’ll be ready to go on day one of pre-season.”
Ablett has even flagged an early return to training — he is not officially required until December 4 — because he wants to get acquainted with the younger players.
Only five players — Joel Selwood, Tom Hawkins, Harry Taylor, Mitch Duncan and Daniel Menzel — remain from 2010, which was his last season at the Cats.
While many are expecting Geelong coach Chris Scott to use his boom recruit in attack next season, the 33-year-old is eyeing a spot in the midfield next to Selwood and Patrick Dangerfield.
“I feel I have still got some good footy left in the midfield, but I will play wherever ‘Scotty’ thinks I am best suited for the team,” he said.
“I’m sure that it will be a mixture of midfield and down forward.”
Ablett said he had missed the bright lights of Friday night football and getting to show his wares on the MCG.
“It has been a different experience, there is no doubt about that,” he said about life on the Gold Coast.
“I have missed finals football. I am a very competitive person and I play to win, so it has been hard not being able to experience that the last seven years.”