Gary Ablett can take the pressure: Mark Thompson

GEELONG coach Mark Thompson has no doubt Gary Ablett can handle the pressure of running out on Grand Final day as a Brownlow Medallist.

GEELONG coach Mark Thompson has no doubt Gary Ablett can handle the pressure of running out on Grand Final day as a Brownlow Medallist.

Ablett has been the favourite for the Brownlow the past three years, but it took until last night for him to claim the award.

Thompson said rather than affect him, last night’s win may actually lift a weight off his gun onballer.

“In some ways, it is a bit of a relief for him and just reward for his ability,” Thompson said at Skilled Stadium today.

“He has played some awesome football consistently over three years.”

The Cats’ coach said Ablett had been coping with pressure for a long time now.

“I think Gary will handle it anyway, he just handles pressure And he has been constantly under pressure for three years with the name and everything else that goes with him. I think he’ll handle it fine.”

The one selection query in the Cats’ line-up is whether small forward Mathew Stokes comes back into the team.

Thompson said Stokes was 100 per cent fit and whether he was named to play in the Grand Final would depend on match ups.