Gary Ablett withdraws from International Rules series against Ireland for personal reasons

GEELONG superstar Gary Ablett has withdrawn from Sunday’s first International Rules match and won’t take part in the series against Ireland for personal reasons. SEE THE FULL AUSTRALIA SQUAD

Gary Ablett is out of the International Rules series.

TWO-TIME Brownlow Medal winner Gary Ablett has withdrawn from the Australian team to play Ireland in the upcoming International Rules series.

Ablett has claimed All-Australian honours eight times in his 302-game career, but was set to make his first International Rules appearance at Adelaide Oval on Sunday.

INTERNATIONAL RULES: DO FANS EVEN CARE?

SQUAD ADDITIONS: WHY GUNSTON COULDN’T TURN DOWN INTERNATIONAL RULES

CROWS STAR: SLOANE CAN’T WAIT TO TAKE ON THE IRISH

ESSENDON VETERAN: GODDARD PUMPED REPRESENT AUSTRALIA

IRELAND SQUAD: BOMBER McKENNA PULLS OUT AFTER TRAINING INJURY

However, an AFL spokesman confirmed on Tuesday that the 33-year-old has dropped out of the two-match series for personal reasons.

Ablett’s sister Natasha died suddenly just days after he was named in the initial squad in October.

Gary Ablett is out of the International Rules series.

He is also completing a move from Gold Coast to Geelong after the Suns agreed to trade him to the Cats so he could be closer to family.

The league spokesman said a replacement player would not be required.

TRAGEDY: ABLETT FAMILY MOURNS DEATH OF NATASHA ABLETT

The AFL completed a 22-man squad last week with the additions of Hawthorn’s Jack Gunston, North Melbourne pair Robbie Tarrant and Ben Brown, Carlton’s Kade Simpson, Melbourne’s Neville Jetta and West Coast’s Luke Shuey.

Ablett had been one of the headline players in the star-studded squad that also includes Brownlow winners Patrick Dangerfield and Nat Fyfe.

Gary Ablett with teammate Joel Selwood at Derby Day. Picture: Ian Currie

Greater Western Sydney star Toby Greene had to withdraw from the team after breaking his little toe in a mishap while on holiday in New York.

The squad, to be coached by Geelong’s Chris Scott, will convene in Adelaide on Thursday for their first training session.

The series will then conclude at Domain Stadium in Perth on November 18.

AUSTRALIAN INTERNATIONAL RULES SQUAD

Eddie Betts (Adelaide Crows), Travis Boak (Port Adelaide), Ben Brown (North Melbourne), Shaun Burgoyne (Hawthorn), Patrick Dangerfield (Geelong Cats), Nat Fyfe (Fremantle), Brendon Goddard (Essendon), Jack Gunston (Hawthorn), Michael Hibberd (Melbourne), Neville Jetta (Melbourne), Rory Laird (Adelaide Crows), Zach Merrett (Essendon), Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood), Paddy Ryder (Port Adelaide), Joel Selwood (Geelong Cats), Luke Shuey (West Coast), Rory Sloane (Adelaide Crows), Kade Simpson (Carlton), Robbie Tarrant (North Melbourne), Chad Wingard (Port Adelaide), Dayne Zorko (Brisbane Lions)