“I think Gold Coast takes an equally important position in Ablett’s legacy because it was in a SUNS jumper that he produced his absolute best.” – Alastair Lynch, The Courier Mail

Brisbane Lions champion Alastair Lynch – along with many other football experts – believe Gary Ablett Jnr’s time in the red and gold was where he produced his best football, in what has been a truly illustrious career to date.

Although Ablett’s career at Geelong was outstanding, the performances the midfielder was able to put together, week after week, with such a young and inexperienced side around him whilst the Gold Coast SUNS were just getting started, is why he is regarded as one of the game’s greats.

With his electrifying pace, precise disposal and the countless clearances among other things, Ablett taught the likes of David Swallow, Tom Lynch and Steven May what it took to make it at AFL level.

It all started when he arrived on the Coast for the 2011 season, instantly assigned with the role of Captain to lead the AFL’s newest franchise and their eager recruits.

In the club’s inaugural season, they were able to win three games and Ablett – as always – led by example, being awarded the club’s best and fairest following a strong season, averaging 30.2 disposals a game together with 18 goals.

Highlighting his consistency and leadership, Ablett was awarded not only All Australian honours, but also the prestige of being named the Captain of the All Australian team.

READ: Ablett's early career

It was the 2012 season though which Alastair Lynch was likely referring to, where the Little Master – no matter what the opposition threw at him – was simply unstoppable.

Running around week after week with taggers continually by his side, Ablett was still able to amaze with an incredible average of 33.8 disposals a game along with 26 goals from the midfield.

Put simply, he started the year on fire.

In round one against Adelaide he had 42 possessions and two goals.

Round 2? Another 40 disposals and another two goals.

Ablett had reached another level by round 3; 45 disposals, two goals and a monster 13 clearances.

Gold Coast fans and the AFL community watched in awe as the SUNS’ number 9 played footy like nobody else had before.

It was a tough beginning for the SUNS in their second season and by round ten they were still yet to record their first win for the year.

However, Ablett gave SUNS fan something to cheer about with an unimaginable 53 possession game against Collingwood at the MCG.

That day produced another career achievement to add the Ablett’s resume; the equal most possessions ever recorded in a game of AFL/VFL football.

The young and improving side were getting comprehensively beaten all around the ground but the Little Master was still able to get his hands on the footy time and time again.

He was in unstoppable form when two weeks later, he gathered yet another 42 possessions together with four inspirational goals as the SUNS went close to recording their first win for 2012, going down to North Melbourne by seven points.

It was a phenomenal year for Ablett on the stats sheet and the individual accolades followed come years end.

Another Gold Coast best and fairest to complement being the club’s leading goal kicker for the year – reward for a season where he accumulated 40 or more disposals a staggering seven times.

However it didn’t stop there, as Ablett rounded out his 2012 season with another All Australian honour, plus the AFL Player’s Association MVP - his first as a SUN.

WATCH: The Story of the Little Master