It’s easy to measure Gary Ablett’s influence purely by statistics. The dual Brownlow medallist and eight-time All Australian has been collecting leather at will for the best part of a decade. But, the lift he provides his teammates is equally as important according to star midfielder David Swallow.
Last year’s best and fairest winner, Swallow, returned alongside Ablett on Saturday night, with the pair providing class and experience to a midfield division that has been undermanned and inexperienced for the best part of 2015.
After missing the last ten weeks with a posterior cruciate ligament injury, Swallow made a productive return to the game, gathering 21 possessions and nine tackles against North Melbourne to be a key contributor on a great night for the Gold Coast SUNS.
In the aftermath of the SUNS drought breaking victory, the focus will be on Ablett’s on-field exploits. They are undeniably brilliant. But, Swallow revealed the captain’s ability to raise his teammates around him and make them walk taller was a telling gift.
“Well for one, what he does out there he really lifts the team,” Swallow told SUNS RAW following Gold Coast’s 55-point win over the Kangaroos.
“And at critical moments he always seems to do something, be able to kick a goal or get an important clearance for us.
“I think he just brings that leadership and all the boys feed off him, especially when he plays well.”
Given his lengthy absence from the game - having not played since round four’s loss to Greater Western Sydney – Swallow revealed that Rodney Eade toyed with the idea of bring their prized possession back through the NEAFL.
But with the injury calamity not entirely in the rear vision mirror just yet, the temptation was clearly far too strong in the end, especially given the exclusions of Harley Bennell and Jarrod Harbrow this week.
“I spoke to Rocket on Thursday at main training and he said ‘We’ll get you through the two’s this week’, and then by the afternoon it was I might by sub,” Swallow said.
“And then I think there was a few issues with some of the boys with injuries so in the end I ended up playing a full game so I was pretty pleased.”
'All the boys feed off him'
It’s easy to measure Gary Ablett’s influence purely by statistics. But, the lift he provides his teammates is equally as important according to David Swallow.
