Patrick Dangerfield says Gary Ablett hasn’t lost any of his brilliance

SUPERCOACH ALERT: Anyone thinking Gary Ablett is on the slide might be mistaken. Star Cats teammate Patrick Dangerfield has some ominous words as the Cats prepare for 2018.

Gary Ablett at Geelong Cats training. Picture: Alison Wynd

GARY Ablett might be every bit as good in 2018 as past AFL glories as he prepares to return to the blue and white hoops.

At least that’s the view of new teammate Patrick Dangerfield after watching the dual Brownlow medallist go about his work upon his return to Geelong.

Ablett will turn 34 this year and after an injury-riddled three seasons some doubt whether the two-time premiership Cat can maintain the high level he’s set throughout his 302-match career.

LONGER SEASON? DANGER’S LEFT-FIELD VIEW

But Dangerfield says Ablett, who won Gold Coast’s best and fairest last season despite managing just 14 senior appearances, is still looking very much the superstar.

“We had a training session last Friday and it was a bit wet down at Deakin University where we were training, and guys were slipping and sliding absolutely everywhere,” Dangerfield told SEN.

Gary Ablett tries to break a James Parsons tackle at a wet Geelong training session. Picture: Alison Wynd

“And there’s Gaz, training in runners, I didn’t see him slip over once and no-one could tackle him. He is just a freak of nature.

“I must admit I’m like a little schoolboy who’s just excited to play with a childhood hero and I think the majority of our list is in the same boat.”

Asked if he believed Ablett had lost any of his brilliance, Dangerfield

“Geez he’s been pretty good if he’s lost something because what we’ve seen so far, he’s just phenomenal,” he said.

“I guess that says a lot about him because he’s been better than everyone else out on the track so far.”

Dangerfield is likely to form a three-pronged midfield trio featuring Ablett and Cats skipper Joel Selwood.

Joel Selwood, Lincoln McCarthy, Gary Ablett, Scott Selwood and Patrick Dangerfield at training. Picture: Alison Wynd

Ablett could be used closer to goal, like his famous father was during the final years of his career, but Dangerfield said that wouldn’t necessarily be the case.

“We’re pretty excited about what he’ll do and what he’ll bring,” he said.

“I think he’ll spend some time in the forward line but I think we’ll have the great man around the ball.”

* Gary Ablett is a $631,100 midfielder in SuperCoach in 2018.