Geelong legend Gary Ablett Snr to sell memorabilia items from playing days

Fans can have the chance to buy souvenirs from Geelong legend Gary Ablett Snr’s playing days. And Ablett has now provided clarity. Watch the video.

Gary Ablett Snr is selling his memorabilia. Picture: Sean Garnsworthy/Getty Images

Geelong legend Gary Ablett Snr will be selling memorabilia from his playing days, giving Cats fans the chance to own a a prized souvenir from the storeyed forward.

Ablett has partnered with sports entertainment company Entertainment By Vin to offer everything from Ablett’s match worn guernseys, boots, warm up jackets, signed prints and never seen before photos.

One of those historic items is the Leigh Matthews Trophy the champion won in 1993 as that year’s AFLPA MVP.

Entertainment By Vin posted a video with Ablett Sr on Wednesday where he said he hopes to fill fans with joy.

“I’m just wanting to let you all know that I was approached by a gentleman and friend Vincent Handley, who asked me what I did with all my trophies, memorabilia and items from my football career. And to be honest I’d never been one to put up photos and trophies so most of those things ended up at my parent’s place until their passing,” Ablett Snr

“And then have been in storage ever since so Vincent asked me if I’d be interested in selling some of those items, so I’ve agreed to put up some of those items for sale as hopefully people will get a lot of enjoyment out of those items rather than just sitting in storage.

“If there is anyone out there who would like to purchase those items, I hope you get a lot of enjoyment out of it.”

An earlier statement from Entertainment by Vin on Tuesday said: “Gary is not obligated to nor is he in a position where he must sell any of these goods, but has chosen to do so freely so that his loyal and longstanding fans can experience these incredible items and own a piece of AFL history.”

Memorabilia is set to be sold in the next four to six weeks with Entertainment By Vin to post snippets of the available items, with those interested able to inquire with offers.

Vin Handley, the owner of Entertainment By Vin, has performed live shows with Gary Ablett Jnr through his company and said he has been friends with Ablett Snr for several years.

Handley said Ablett had taken a few years to decide whether to sell these items but now felt the time was right.

The Leigh Matthews Trophy won by Ablett. Picture: Instagram

A piece of Ablett memorabilia from Entertainment By Vin. Picture: Instagram

“Gary senior has had this in the back of his mind where that at some point he wanted to put some value out there for other people to enjoy, there’s no point having some of these amazing items sitting in a storage unit with no one seeing them,” Handley said.

“That was kind of the catalyst for it and we talked about it for a while and he wanted to find the right time. He has reached a stage in his life where he has got everything he needs to get out of his football career and stuff and the accolades and he’s happy to pass that on for others to enjoy.

“Gary is not materialistic at all, he is actually a really humble guy. He still feels uneasy about the attention that football brought him. He doesn’t look at these, he’s got memories, he’s got a brain. He looks at these things now and can enjoy it for what it was and he doesn’t need the validation of a medal looking him or a poster on his wall.”

Ablett is regarded as one of the best VFL/AFL players of all time as a member of the Australian Football Hall of Fame, AFL Team of the Century, Victoria Team of the Century and Geelong Football Club Hall of Fame.

He sits in sixth spot on the VFL/AFL goalkicking list with 1031 goals in 248 games, winning four Coleman medals and a Norm Smith medal in his illustrious career.

Originally published as Geelong legend Gary Ablett Snr to sell memorabilia items from playing days