Gary Ablett’s time as a midfielder might be over but that could be good news for Geelong after the win over Collingwood at the MCG
IT could be the day Gary Ablett’s footy career changed forever. The little master played almost permanently as a forward in Geelong’s win over Collingwood but that could be exactly what the Cats need.
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IT could be the day Gary Ablett’s footy career changed forever.
The little master returned to Geelong late last year with every intention of continuing to weave his magic in the midfield but perhaps those golden days are over.
The dual Brownlow Medallist played largely forward in his comeback from a second hamstring injury as Geelong consolidated a top-four spot with a 21-point win over Collingwood at the MCG.
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By half time, Ablett had attended only one centre bounce and had spent less than three measly minutes in the middle as Geelong’s reshaped young back line kept Collingwood to its lowest half-time score - 1.6 (12) - since 1912.
Local Geelong product Tom Stewart was best on ground across half-back and predictably, Ablett was still very influential in the front half of the ground, racking up 32 possessions and one goal.
And to be fair, the 33-year-old did venture further up the ground in the second-half, once captain courageous Joel Selwood copped a heavily corked leg in the third term.
He’ll be a sore man, Selwood, and he faces a light week on the track if he’s any chance to play Essendon on Saturday at the MCG.
Without superstar captain Scott Pendlebury, the Magpies were sparked by Adam Treloar with 13 touches in the third term, but after losing Darcy Moore to another hamstring injury and then wingman Tom Phillips (concussion) they were treading water.
The performance of Collingwood defender Matthew Scharenberg was a silver lining, after an injury-marred start to his career and Chris Mayne played probably his best game for the Magpies.
But the big problem was Collingwood’s awful ball use and goalkicking.
The Pies booted 1.8 from their last nine forward entries.
Collingwood great Mick McGuane was blunt.
“Terrible first half by Collingwood,” McGuane said.
“Must tidy up disposal by foot.”
Peter Daicos went even harder on Twitter.
“What a shocking game. Are they coaching?” Daicos said.
A desperate defensive effort from Patrick Dangerfield to intercept Daniel Wells set up back-to-back goals from Sam Menegola in the third term, quickly halting Collingwood’s brief third-term comeback.
Like Kelly, Menegola is an important member of the Cats’ support cast and young key forward Esava Ratugolea continues to exceed expectations, taking a big screamer over his mate Dangerfield in the third term.
The hardworking big man’s laser-straight set shot from 40m on the boundary was almost just as good.
But there was another quirk. Geelong went without a ruckmen at times but, like Richmond does, the Cats still shaded the Pies in the clearances.
The forward line move might not be Ablett’s personal preference, but the continued brilliant emergence of mature-age midfield gun Tim Kelly means it is clearly a luxury they can afford.
There’s a chance Kelly could be leading the Cats’ best and fairest, or at least figure in the top-three, and his electric turn out of a stoppage and perfect pass to James Parsons in the first term was one of his best passages of play for the year.
Geelong coach Chris Scott might say the Ablett move was only because leading goalkickers Daniel Menzel and Tom Hawkins were both out.
But the big question mark over the Cats this year was whether they can create more avenues to goal and Stewart Crameri also grew in confidence in his second match in blue and white.
But surely the Geelong midfield is good enough without Ablett.
AFL champion Wayne Carey said Ablett was clearly more dangerous as a forward.
“You see him more as a forward,” Carey said on Triple M.
“They have got other midfield options and Ablett can be a 30-or-40 a year goal kicker.”
BEST
GEELONG: T.Stewart, S.Menegola, P.Dangerfield, M.Duncan, H.Taylor, G.Ablett, J.Selwood, E.Ratugolea
COLLINGWOOD: J.Crisp, M.Scharenberg, A.Treloar, J.Howe, S.Sidebottom, C.Mayne
VOTES
3. Tom Stewart (Geelong)
2. Sam Menegola (Geelong)
1. Patrick Dangerfield (Geelong)
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Originally published as Gary Ablett’s time as a midfielder might be over but that could be good news for Geelong after the win over Collingwood at the MCG
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