Gary Ablett Jr set to grow his family’s Drouin connection

Gary Ablett Jr will follow in the footsteps of his father and other family members when he pulls on the boots for a country club next month.

The rich history between the Drouin Football Club and Ablett footballing family is set to add another chapter.

The Hawks have confirmed Gary Ablett Jr will make a guest appearance on July 15 against Morwell when the club will also celebrate Indigenous round.

Ablett will follow in the footsteps of his father who started his career with the Gippsland league club, winning a premiership in 1978.

Drouin president Chris Soumilas revealed Ablett’s guest appearance had come together “pretty quickly”.

He said Hawks senior coach Brent Clinnick had led the charge.

“Being an old Devon Meadows boy, when Chris saw that Luke Hodge played for his former club, he thought ‘how good would it be if we can get someone like that out here’ and he contacted Gary’s management,” Soumilas said.

“At first we thought it didn’t look likely to be this year and thought it could have been next year but Gary said to us he wasn’t sure how his body would be next year. Having played for Creswick, we thought the opportunity might have been lost but he wanted to play for Drouin.

“He’s obviously got a fairly big family connection with his dad and grandfather. But he has uncles and aunties who have played footy and netball over the years.

“It’s going to be a massive day for our club. Having Gary as a guest player only adds to the occasion of our Indigenous round.”

Gary Ablett after his Creswick appearance. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

Ablett returned to Victorian local footy for the first time since retiring at the weekend with an appearance for Creswick in the Central Highlands league.

He booted the first and last goals of the match against Ballan to seal the Saints second win of the season.

On the day he plays for Drouin, the Hawks will wear Indigenous jumpers with the artwork by Lionel Rose Jnr.

Other activities will also be involved on the day.

“Between 3000 and 4000 would be a great crowd,” Soumilas said.

“We want it to be a great day for the community. And hopefully we can get the four points.”

A sportsman's night will be held after the game with memorabilia set to be auctioned.

Drouin currently sits last on the Gippsland league ladder with one win from its 11 games this season.