‘HONESTLY UNSURE’ GAZ STILL TO DECIDE IF HE WILL PLAY ON
GARY Ablett says he is “honestly unsure” if he will play on in 2020 as he prepares to discuss his future with the Geelong Football Club and coach Chris Scott this week.
In an Instagram post Ablett told his 165,000 followers that he had a lot to “weigh up”.
Ablett missed one week with suspension in 2019 but otherwise didn’t suffer any injury issues.
The 345-game veteran kicked 34 goals and averaged 20 possessions a game playing predominantly forward, enough to be named in the All-Australian extended squad.
“For me personally, it was great to be able to get my body right on the back of a tough year in 2018,” Ablett said.
“I understand that there’s been a lot of speculation about whether I’ve played my last game or not.
“There’s a lot to weigh up but I’m confident that whatever decision is made will be a well thought out one.”
Earlier this week Ablett’s manager Liam Pickering told SEN radio his gut feel was that Ablett would don the blue and white stripes again next year but he hadn’t confirmed that with the 35-year-old.
“His body is good, I don’t think there are any injuries or anything like that … I think with everything being right he could play another year,” Pickering said.
“A guy of his experience, who has played as much footy as Gary has, if he reckons he can go around again he should.”
Pickering’s comments came after Scott said on Fox Footy’s AFL360 he was unsure if the twotime Brownlow medallist would return.
“If he decides, or even if he’s not sure, that he can do it, if he doesn’t quite have the belief that he can help us win a premiership next year, he should retire,” Scott said.
“That’s the decision that I think he’s coming to grips with. Now if he thinks he can do it, then we’ve got a bit to talk about and I look forward to that. I hope it’s that way.”
Ablett, who welcomed his first child Levi Gary Ablett with wife Jordan in January this year, said he was looking forward to spending quality time with his family.
“Right now I’m just looking forward to spending some downtime with my family and having conversations with my wife, Jordan and the Geelong Football Club about what we believe my immediate future looks like,” Ablett said.
“At this stage, I’m honestly unsure as to which direction I’ll be heading but I am certainly making it a priority to make a decision sooner rather than later.”
In the lengthy post Ablett also praised his teammates and supporters for their efforts.
“I know you guys are probably hurting just as much as we are, but there are a lot of positives to take out of this year,” he said.
Ablett said he would share his decision in the near future on the sports site he founded: exclusiveinsight.com.
AT THIS STAGE, I’M HONESTLY UNSURE AS TO WHICH DIRECTION I’LL BE HEADING BUT I AM CERTAINLY MAKING IT A PRIORITY TO MAKE A DECISION SOONER RATHER THAN LATER. GARY ABLETT ON HIS FOOTBALL FUTURE