DUAL Brownlow Medallist Gary Ablett openly thanked the Gold Coast for their overwhelming support and congratulatory messages this morning, as the city’s first Brownlow winner sent local radio waves into a frenzy as he appeared on several local radio stations.
“I would like to thank all the listeners and supporters. You guys have been fantastic over the past three years,” Ablett told 102.9 Hot Tomato this morning.
“We are heading in the right direction and were’ confident success is to come.
“We’re looking forward to your continued support and hopefully playing finals footy next year.”
Needing at least two votes heading into the final medal count to at least tie with Geelong’s Joel Selwood, Ablett polled the maximum three votes on offer to clinch a famous Brownlow victory.
Speaking with 92.5 GOLD FM’s Richard, Bridge and Spida on their breakfast program, the 252-game midfielder said it had been an exciting, but challenging, three years on the Gold Coast.
“It has been a challenging three years, moving away from family and friends and moving to a place not knowing too many people,” he said.
“But I have loved my last three years and all my mates at the Club.
“They have been amazing and I’ve been super proud of their efforts this year.”
Despite forging a career littered with individual and team accolades, Ablett constantly deflected questions comparing him with his legendary father, promptly declaring Gary Ablett senior is still the better player each time he was asked.
Grateful for having grown up under his father’s guidance, Ablett says he’s looking forward to catching up with family and friends in the coming days.
“My dad is an amazing man, and has always been fantastic support for me,” Ablett said.
“He is a big part of why I am where I am today, and I look forward to catching up with him soon.”
Considered one of the game’s greatest players to have never won a Brownlow, Ablett said his dad never needed a “Charlie” to define his footballing legacy.
“He doesn’t need the medal to define him.”
“He has been an amazing support not just in footy but also in lift, and I thank him for all his support.”
