Geelong says it will support Gary Ablett in any way he needs after he revealed his son was battling a rare disease
Geelong says it will support Gary Ablett in any way he needs after he revealed son Levi was battling a rare degenerative disease. The star Cat recently entered a hub with his teammates.
Geelong
Don't miss out on the headlines from Geelong. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Geelong says it will support Gary Ablett in any way he needs - including a potential return to Victoria at some stage - after he revealed son Levi was battling a rare degenerative disease.
The Cats have flown into a Sydney hub with their full squad to take on premiership contenders Brisbane on Thursday night.
Ablett might even be rested off a five-day break, with the Cats committed to giving him more breaks this year but not sure yet whether it will be this weekend.
Jed Bews (ankle) should play but Tom Atkins (chest) will again miss for the Cats.
Coach Chris Scott said he was careful not to speak for Ablett given the family issue but said Geelong would support him in any way.
One of the concerns for clubs will be that if players return to Victoria they might face challenges in re-entering quarantine, with the Cats off to Perth next week to stay in a hub for several weeks.
But Geelong is clearly going to allow Ablett to make his own decisions given the family issues.
“We have put a lot of thought into it,” Scott said of Ablett’s decision to go into the hub.
“At the end of the day it is an intensely personal decision for Gary. And he has decided to elaborate on it a little bit publicly. He should be the only spokesperson in regard to his feelings and his plans.
“We consider our role as one of support for whatever he needs. At the moment we are pushing on with a little bit of a loose plan around what his next month to six weeks looks like. “We are keeping our options open to change our mind if things happen. It is clearly a difficult time for him and has been for some time.
“The one thing that has made him a champion is his ability to compartmentalise these things.
“If you put yourself in his shoes it’s an incredibly difficult situation he is working through.”
On potentially resting Ablett against Brisbane, Scott said: “It’s an option for us not to play him this week, we have talked about it and spoken to him but we haven’t made that decision yet.”
Last year Scott raised eyebrows when he said five-goal hero Charlie Cameron hadn’t been the difference in a close loss.
On Tuesday Scott made clear he had immense respect for the star forward.
“I think he’s the premier small forward in the competition. I don’t think that’s really been in any doubt. I made comments last time that I didn’t think he was unstoppable. It’s just a statement of fact.
“I rate him very, very highly. All people who know anything about footy do, but he’s not the only threat. That is the part that makes them genuine contenders at the minute.”
SUPPORT FLOODS IN FOR ABLETT AFTER SON’S DIAGNOSIS
Lachie Young, James Mottershead
There has been an outpouring of support and love for Jordan and Gary Ablett after the pair decided to publicly announce their son Levi’s rare degenerative disease via Instagram.
Teammates Patrick Dangerfield, Joel Selwood, Mitch Duncan and Tom Hawkins have been among a dozen teammates sharing their love for the little master and his family with comments on the post.
The king of spin Shane Warne also showed his support, and like Ablett’s teammates, posted a series of love heart emojis.
Old rivals and Australian sporting royalty have also reached out to the Ablett’s with the likes of Eddie Betts, Trent Cotchin, Brendan Fevola, Sally Fitzgibbons and Aaron Baddeley sharing their love and support.
In a heartfelt post on Instagram, Ablett paid tribute to his wife, Jordan, who has been caring for her mother as she battles cancer, and his son, who was born in January last year.
Kayo is your ticket to the 2020 Toyota AFL Premiership Season. Watch every match of every round Live & On-Demand. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >
“Some of you might already know that Jordan is caring for her mum as she battles with cancer,” Ablett wrote.
“But what many of you don’t know is that our son has been recently diagnosed with a rare and degenerative disease. After a great amount of thought and consideration, we decided that it’s time to share this with you.
“We thank you for your love and support and want to emphasise just how grateful we are to be Levi’s parents. He is a true blessing to us and our family and we love him so deeply.
“Anyone who knows him knows how full of joy he is and how he always has a smile on his face.
“I would also like to thank the Geelong football club for the way you have cared for our family throughout this time, always ensuring that we feel loved and fully supported. The biggest thank you needs to go to my wife, Jordan. Without you I wouldn’t have made it to 350 games.
“All of those nights looking after our boy, allowing me to get a good night’s sleep before main training and games. The many things that you do for Levi and I all the while hurting and caring for your mum and also trying to get your head around Levi’s diagnosis. You’re so strong and resilient...I love you Jordan.”
The touching message was posted hours before Geelong players board a plane to Sydney ahead of a five-week stint away from home and is an example of the sacrifices players are making in order to keep the AFL competition alive.
Jordan, who was unable to attend her husband’s milestone match on Saturday, wrote on Instagram her son’s joy was ‘contagious’.
“Words will never be enough to express just how full our hearts are of love for you,” she wrote.
“You’ve only been with us for a short while but you’ve already taught us more than some people learn in a lifetime. Although it has been a difficult journey and start to life, your diagnosis does not take away any ounce of our love for you.
“Your joy is contagious and not even this disease is able to steal it from you. We pray for you every day and we will continue to take each day as it comes.”
The Cats confirmed Ablett would be joining his teammates on the flight north as they prepare to take on Brisbane just five days after they defeated Gold Coast in Ablett’s 350th game, however his family will remain in Victoria.
MORE CATS
CATS CELEBRATE MILESTONES IN STYLE
MONKEY OFF THE BACK AFTER SUNS WIN
CHANGES LIKELY WITH SHORT TURNAROUND
Originally published as Geelong says it will support Gary Ablett in any way he needs after he revealed his son was battling a rare disease