Ablett still dynamite in hands of Geelong
FORMER Suns star Gary Ablett might be every bit as good in 2018 as past AFL glories as he prepares to return to Geelong.
That’s the view of new teammate Patrick Dangerfield after watching the dual Brownlow medallist go about his work upon his return to the Cats.
Ablett will turn 34 this year and after an injury-riddled three seasons some doubt whether the two-time premiership Cat can maintain the high level he’s set throughout his 302-match career.
But Dangerfield says Ablett, who won Gold Coast’s best and fairest last season despite managing just 14 senior appearances, is still looking very much the superstar.
“We had a training session last Friday and it was a bit wet down at Deakin University where we were training, and guys were slipping and sliding absolutely everywhere,” Dangerfield told Melbourne radio station SEN.
“And there’s Gaz, training in runners, I didn’t see him slip over once and no-one could tackle him.
“He is just a freak of nature. I must admit I’m like a little schoolboy who’s just excited to play with a childhood hero and I think the majority of our list is in the same boat.”
Asked if he believed Ablett had lost any of his brilliance, Dangerfield was unconvinced.
“Geez he’s been pretty good if he’s lost something because what we’ve seen so far, he’s just phenomenal,” he said.
“I guess that says a lot about him because he’s been better than everyone else out on the track so far.”