Gary Ablett Jnr’s incredible career will be further recognised by Geelong when he is elevated to Legend status in the club’s Hall of Fame.
Ablett, who played 247 games and kicked 321 goals for the Cats across two stints, either side of 110 matches with Gold Coast, will be honoured at next month’s Hall of Fame Dinner.
On the same night, club great Joel Selwood and two-time premiership coach Mark Thompson will be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
“Recognising Gary, Joel and Mark allows us to acknowledge the significant impact they have had on our Club, our people and our community,” CEO Steve Hocking said.
“Gary had the capacity to change games in pivotal moments, and his elevation to Legend goes beyond the accolades and reminds us of the way he made people feel when he played.
“Joel Selwood’s leadership and spirit set a standard that remains embedded in the culture of our club. He represented Geelong with integrity and humility, and brought a distinct commitment to influence his team as individuals rather than just a player.
“Mark’s time as senior coach was nothing short of transformative. He challenged the club to think differently and embrace a relentless style of football.
“The success that followed helped redefine Geelong, and the foundations he laid continue to influence the way we operate.
Drafted by the Cats in 2001 from Modewarre/Geelong Falcons as a father-son selection, Ablett debuted in Round 1, 2002, just six years after his dad, Gary Ablett Snr, last appeared at AFL level.
Before leaving for the Suns, he made 192 appearances for Geelong, featuring in the 2007 and 2009 premierships, winning the 2009 Brownlow Medal, three Leigh Matthews trophies as the peer-voted AFLPA Most Valuable Player, the Carji Greeves Medal twice, and earning four consecutive All-Australian selections.
After seven seasons at the Suns, where he won the 2013 Brownlow Medal, two Leigh Matthes trophies, and earned another four All-Australian selections, he rounded out his career with a further 55 matches at Geelong.
His last appearance was the 2020 grand final loss to Richmond.
Ablett, who becomes eligible for the Australian Football Hall of Fame this year, will be the 29th club Legend, giving the club its first father-son pairing to hold that honour.
Selwood arrived at Kardinia Park via the 2006 National Draft, selected from Sandhurst/Bendigo Pioneers with pick seven.
He debuted in the opening round of the 2007 season and went on to play what was a club record 355 games before retiring after captaining Geelong to the 2022 premiership, becoming the club’s first four-time VFL/AFL premiership player.
Selwood also won three Carji Greeves medals, was a six-time All-Australian, and claimed the AFL Rising Star award in his first year.
Appointed captain at 23, he led the Cats in a VFL/AFL record 245 games.
Selwood’s contribution to the club and the city of Geelong was recognised in 2024 with the naming of the new northern stand at GMHBA Stadium in his honour.
Thompson, a three-time premiership player with Essendon, was appointed coach of Geelong ahead of the 2000 season and served in the role for 11 years.
After narrowly avoiding being let go after a disastrous 2006 campaign, the Cats retained him in the role, and he repaid the faith by delivering the club’s first premiership in 44 years the following year.
Geelong dominated the 2008 season, losing only one home-and-away game, but fell to Hawthorn in the grand final.
However, redemption was swift, with the Cats outlasting St Kilda in 2009 by 12 points.
Thompson shocked the football world when he stood down following the 2010 season, exiting the club not long after Ablett’s move north.
He coached Geelong on 260 occasions, third only to Chris Scott and Reg Hickey, for 161 wins, three draws and 96 losses.
Thompson coached Essendon in 2014.
Ablett Jnr, Selwood, and Thompson will be honoured on Saturday, July 4.
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