Booing ‘brings out the best’ in Ablett

GEELONG coach Chris Scott says Gary Ablett is unfazed by the jeers he copped from the crowd after producing “a pretty special game” yesterday.

Ablett was caught up in the Israel Folau social media controversy and last week explained why he initially “liked” the rugby star’s antigay religious post.

But the Brownlow Medallist responded in fine fashion yesterday, producing one of his best games since joining the Cats last season to help pip Hawthorn by 23 points.

Ablett, who slotted three goals and took a spectacular high mark, was booed throughout the match by Hawthorn fans, but Scott said it had little impact on the superstar goal-kicker.

“Good players get booed, it seems to be a trend,” Scott said.

“I don’t think anyone really likes it, do they? But does anyone really care that much? Gaz doesn’t.

“It just kept going and going and when you boo players and they keep getting the ball, keep booing them. It’s working.”

Patrick Dangerfield said: “You can boo him as much as you like when he is kicking goals on the outside of his foot from 50m. The real good ones feed off it and Gary did today.”

Scott said he spoke to Ablett about the Folau saga for about 30 seconds and urged people to get over the issue. Ablett distanced himself from the Folau slur last week.

“His post, if that is what it is called, was shown to me and if he said ‘I love all people’, I think that says it, doesn’t it?” Scott said. “As a society, we have got to stop hanging people who misspeak.”