AFL 2020: Gary Ablett rejected for Queensland flight, has one game before finals
Geelong star Gary Ablett has been grounded until the final round of the AFL season after the Queensland Government knocked back a special request.
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Geelong champion Gary Ablett will get just one game to whip himself into shape before the start of the AFL Finals Series after his special travel request was knocked back on Friday.
The league announced on Friday night the Cats’ request for Ablett to travel from Melbourne to Brisbane on a league chartered flight in coming days has fallen through.
It means Ablett and Richmond star Shane Edwards will have to wait until the last chartered flight from Melbourne to Brisbane on September 1.
The delay costs Ablett precious preparation days and leaves him facing the daunting prospect of having just one tune-up game in the final round of the regular season before the start of the 2020 AFL Finals Series.
Ablett now has just a handful of games — at best — left in his career with the 36-year-old to hang up the boots at the end of the Cats’ 2020 campaign.
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After travelling on September 1, Ablett and the rest of the AFL officials on the flight will have to quarantine themselves for 14 days after touching down in Queensland — as part of the state’s border protection rules.
According to reports, Queensland officials rejected a request from Geelong for Ablett to be granted permission to train at a nearby oval as he served his period of isolation.
It means Ablett will have to wait for the September flight as it gives him the best chance of hitting the ground running inside the Queensland bubble — where he will have access to a footy oval and gym during his 14-day quarantine.
Ablett will first be available for selection for the Cats’ Round 18 game against Sydney in a match that is yet to be confirmed by the AFL. The league will confirm the fixture for the final round of the season after Round 17 with matches to be scheduled from September 17 to September 20.
Ablett returned to Victoria in July to support his wife during a family crisis. Jordan Ablett revealed earlier this month her mum Trudy died after a long battle with cancer.
The tragedy came after the Ablett family announced last month their son Levi was diagnosed with a rare and degenerative disease.
Earlier, Geelong released a statement to confirm reports Ablett and Richmond star Shane Edwards’ requests to fly to Brisbane in August were rejected by league officials.
“The club has been advised today that Gary Ablett will not be able to enter Queensland until 1 September unless he entered a hard quarantine,” the club statement claimed.
“This would mean Gary could not train during this period.
“As such Gary will travel with the large AFL party on 1 September at which time he will complete a 14-day quarantine in the AFL’s transition hub.”
Geelong football boss Simon Lloyd says the club stands by Ablett’s decision to return home.
“While Gary and the club are disappointed, we understand the importance of staying diligent in the fight against COVID-19,” he said in the statement.
“The Queensland government and health officials have been first class throughout this time in supporting clubs and the game.
“Gary had important family matters that required him to return home. We were fully supportive of that decision.
“Gary will continue to train before coming into Queensland on 1 September. We look forward to Gary and his family joining us once the quarantine is complete.”
Originally published as AFL 2020: Gary Ablett rejected for Queensland flight, has one game before finals