Nathan Ablett
| Nathan Ablett | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Nathan Ablett | |||
| Personal information | |||
| Full name | Nathan Ablett | ||
| Date of birth | 13 December 1985 | ||
| Place of birth | Victoria, Australia | ||
| Original team(s) | Modewarre | ||
| Draft |
49th overall (father/son), 2004 Geelong | ||
| Height / weight | 194 cm / 96 kg | ||
| Position(s) | Full-forward | ||
| Career highlights | |||
|
AFL
| |||
| Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com | |||
Nathan Ablett (born 13 December 1985) is an Australian rules footballer currently playing for the Gold Coast Suns in the Australian Football League (AFL). A key forward, 1.94 metres (6.4 ft) tall and weighing 96 kilograms (210 lb), Ablett is the youngest son of Gary Ablett, Sr. and the younger brother of Gary Ablett, Jr..
Although a standout junior footballer, Ablett chose not to play in the TAC Cup to avoid the media attention which accompanied the preceding careers of his father and brother. After spending a year playing in country leagues, Ablett agreed to sign for Geelong (his former club) under the league's father-son rule and was selected with the 49th overall pick in the 2004 AFL Draft. Ablett made his AFL debut in 2005, and was part of the Premiership side in 2007. However, he announced his retirement from professional football at the conclusion of the 2007 season, citing a lack in desire to continue playing at the top level.
Early life
Though a gifted footballer, Ablett avoided media attention surrounding his junior career by choosing not to play in the TAC Cup. He eventually decided to pursue a career in AFL football, though wary of the pressures placed on him as the son of a former league superstar and brother of a rising talent. Regarded as a shy personality both on and off the field, Ablett rarely participated in media interviews.
AFL career
Ablett debuted midway through the 2005 AFL season after beginning his professional football career with the Geelong reserves team in the VFL. Nathan showed improvement as a player at the end of the 2006 season in the VFL team which contested the Grand Final. By 2007, Ablett cemented his position in the senior squad at full forward, and helped the Cats capture the 2007 AFL Premiership, booting three goals in the record breaking Grand Final win.
Retirement
On 30 November 2007, Ablett announced he was considering retirement from the game at the age of only 21, citing a lack of continuing passion for the game.[1] This was not without precedent, as Ablett walked away from his TAC Cup team in 2003, but was eventually convinced to return to top level competition.
Having been given until the start of 2008 to make a decision, Ablett decided on 7 January 2008 to walk away from AFL for at least one year, but didn't rule out a possible return at some stage.
In May 2008, media outlets reported Geelong coach Mark Thompson as saying "I've spoken to him (Nathan Ablett) a few times and it's probably a bit late for this year, for him to play AFL, but that's not the real point, the point is he's missing footy and he is thinking about a return."[2] Nathan re-commenced training with Geelong on July 9, 2008. Although he was expected to play in Geelong's VFL side in the later part of the 2008 season, an ankle injury, sustained from playing basketball, sidelined him for the remainder of the year. It was announced on September 2, 2008 that Nathan would not be pursuing an AFL career in 2009, instead choosing to become a plumber.[3]
However he surprised many when he subsequently signed with the Broadbeach Cats to play in the AFL Queensland State League.[4]
Ablett will return to AFL football when the Gold Coast Suns enter the AFL competition in 2011, as he signed a contract to play for them in 2010 in the Victorian Football League (VFL) and he will stay on and play when they enter the AFL competition.[5] He will again be playing alongside his brother as Gary has also signed on to play with the AFL's newest club.
Statistics
- Statistics are correct to end of 2007 AFL season
| Season | Team | No. | Games | Goals | Behinds | Kicks | Marks | Handballs | Disposals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Geelong | 23 | 4 | 8 | 2 | 19 | 13 | 8 | 27 |
| 2006 | Geelong | 23 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 33 | 27 | 23 | 56 |
| 2007 | Geelong | 23 | 21 | 34 | 18 | 117 | 86 | 74 | 191 |
| Totals | 32 | 46 | 23 | 169 | 126 | 105 | 274 | ||
References
- ^ "Geelong's Nathan Ablett threatens to quit AFL football". Jon Ralph. Herald Sun. 30 November 2007. Retrieved 2007-12-29.
- ^ "Nathan Ablett considering return". Herald Sun. 15 May 2008. Retrieved 2008-05-24.
- ^ "Nathan Ablett to stop playing football". The Age. 2 September 2008. Retrieved 2008-09-02.
- ^ Wilson, Terry (November 21, 2008) Nathan Ablett a Cat again
- ^ McKenna impressed by Ablett's desire
External links
- Nathan Ablett's playing statistics from AFL Tables