Modewarre coach Josh Finch says “there’s a lot to play out” before Gary Ablett Jnr makes his first appearance for his junior club in more than a quarter of a century.
Social media has gone into overdrive this (Wednesday) morning after AFL Barwon confirmed the 42-year-old, who was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame last month, had lodged a clearance to join the Warriors ahead of yesterday’s June 30 deadline.
“There’s still plenty of water to go under the bridge before Gary plays,” Finch said.
“He lodged the clearance just in case the opportunity for him to play for Modda came up.”
Ablett played all of his underage footy at the Warriors, including some alongside younger brother Nathan, who played in a senior flag at Modewarre in 2018, before joining Talent League club Geelong Falcons in 2001.
Drafted by Geelong at the end of that year as a father-son selection, he played 247 games across two stints at the Cats, winning premierships and the Carji Greeves Medal as best-and-fairest in 2007 and 2009, and the 2009 Brownlow Medal.
Ablett joined the fledgling Gold Coast for their AFL entry in 2011, winning the club’s first Brownlow Medal in 2013 and four Suns club champion awards in 110 games.
He rejoined the Cats for three seasons at the back end of his career, retiring after the 2020 grand final loss to Richmond.
Ablett has made cameo appearances for several clubs since retiring, most recently with Loddon Valley club Newbridge on June 20 as part of a promotion for a beer company.
It is understood he broke a finger in that appearance.
Modewarre is set to miss finals action for the second consecutive year, sitting 8th with a 3-9 win-loss record – four games behind fifth-placed Anglesea – with six matches to play.
Ablett will be elevated to Legend status in the Cats’ Hall of Fame this Saturday night.
X: @krockfootball
