Lauren Phillips pays tribute to ex-boyfriend Gary Ablett after his retirement
The Grand Final was an emotional night for Gary Ablett Jr as he played his last AFL game and was flooded with well wishes, including a surprise tribute from ex Lauren Phillips. And she wasn’t the only former WAG congratulating her player ex.
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Lauren Phillips has paid tribute to ex-boyfriend Gary Ablett, who retired after Saturday night’s AFL grand final.
Ablett played his 357th and final match, and was given a fitting send off by both Geelong and Richmond players as he emotionally walked through a guard of honour at the end of the medal presentations.
The champion’s ex-girlfriend, TV presenter Phillips, was in the crowd at the Gabba and posted on her Instagram story: “A wonderful footballer. An even better human. Well done Gaz.”
The pair dated for seven years and both moved on to get married after splitting in 2010.
Ablett and wife Jordan have a 21-month-old son Levi while Phillips, who was married to Lachlan Spark, is now dating multi-millionaire jet tycoon Paul O’Brien.
Also paying tribute to an ex was make-up artist and fashion designer Mia Fevola.
She and Tiger Daniel Rioli, now a three-time premiership winning Tiger at just 23, were in a relationship for two years before splitting in February.
The daughter of Brendan and Alex Fevola posted a video of him receiving his medal on the dais with yellow and black love hearts on her Instagram story.
There were many emotional moments to come out of the game’s first night grand final, which was played for the first time outside Victoria during a COVID-19 affected season.
Before the game, Jordan Ablett uploaded a heartfelt post to honour husband Gary.
“G, I actually don’t know how to write this is in a way that will accurately express how I feel towards you as a person and as a player of the game. Having not followed footy before I met you, you have well and truly made me a lover of the game,” she wrote.
“You have been so exciting to watch for so many years now and I feel so privileged and blessed to have had front row seats every week watching you prepare and play.”
Jordan continued: “You’ve exceeded all the expectations that have been placed upon you over your career and now is the time to let them go and do what you do best.”
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