By the time the 2013 season came around, it was a general expectation around the league that Gary Ablett Jnr would again star.
Exactly that he did, accumulating 34 disposals with a lazy four goals from the midfield to start the year.
The question was posed – would this bloke ever show signs of slowing down?
As the younger SUNS continued to develop and improve, so did the teams performances as they climbed to eight wins for the season.
A vast improvement from just three the year before.
Ablett’s love affair when playing the Collingwood Football Club continued when the teams lined up in round 17 where he gathered 49 possessions, two goals and another best on ground in the red and gold.
By the end of the season, Ablett had kicked 28 goals (leading Gold Coast goal kicker for second straight year) and averaged over 30 disposals for the fourth year in a row.
Come Brownlow Medal night, Ablett was regarded as a good chance, although not the favourite.
G Ablett, 3 votes.
Ablett took home his second Brownlow Medal beating former teammate, Joel Selwood by a single vote to take out the game’s highest individual honour with 28 votes, polling three votes on seven occasions.
Ablett again started the 2014 season in sensational fashion averaging 32.1 disposals (including 7.9 clearances) in his first 15 games until a shoulder injury cut short his season in Gold Coast’s round 16 win over Collingwood.
Subsequently, 2015 was ruled out as he re-injured the same shoulder in the second round and didn’t return until later in the season.
The Gold Coast SUNS started 2016 in startling fashion, winning their first three games in a row, Ablett having his usual influential role as the younger SUNS who had learnt their trade off the modern day great, started to come into their own.
However, come the QClash in round 16, when attempting to tackle Mitch Robinson, Ablett’s shoulder again gave way and his 2016 was finished as he went under the knife in preparation for 2017.
Over the 14 games, he averaged 27 disposals, 7.4 clearances and disposed the football at an impressive efficiency of 71%.
READ: A new adventure for Ablett
That brings us to the Gary Ablett of 2017; 33 years of age, in his 16th AFL season and – remarkably – still in form that is worthy of All Australian contention.
Despite having the likes of Michael Barlow, Jarryd Lyons and David Swallow around the midfield, he has still been able to manage an average of 31.9 disposals thus far.
As we approach Ablett’s 300th game, we can only sit back and reflect on all that he has achieved.
Two premierships, two Brownlow Medals, five club best and fairest awards, a seven-time All Australian, five-time AFL Player’s Association MVP and a three time AFL Coaches Association Player of the Year.
A fair resume.
Nobody will forget those blistering goals from a centre clearance or somehow managing to weave it through the big sticks - practically from the stands.
Ablett recently stated that he wanted to be remembered as someone who gave it their all.
It’s fair to say he will be remembered for just that and a whole lot more.
