Ando’s Shout: Gary Ablett contemplates coming out of retirement

‘Is there such a thing as a six or seven-game contract?’ Although happy in retirement, Gary Ablett admits he is ‘open to a conversation’ about a return.

Could Gary Ablett be back running around on Kardinia Park? Picture: Getty Images

On Sunday afternoon, Gary Ablett jnr will be feted by the Geelong faithful with a lap of GMHBA Stadium, possibly the last time he will be cheered when actually on the ground.

Or will it be, given an interview with Ablett, 36, this week revealed a twist that could have Geelong fans in raptures?

Q&A WITH GAJ

Jon Anderson: How has retirement been Gary? Any itchy boot moments?

Gary Ablett: I did watch the Easter Monday game against Hawthorn and you do miss those bigger games. I did find it hard watching that game on the couch.

JA: Great, then get fit and nominate for the mid-season draft.

Ablett will be given a proper farewell on Sunday afternoon. Picture: Michael Klein

GA: After I had my shoulder surgery (third reconstruction) and found out we had recruited Isaac Smith, Shaun Higgins and Jeremy Cameron, I actually called Andrew Mackie (list management at Geelong) and said ‘mate, if you had let me know you were recruiting those guys I would have stayed around for another year’. He had a bit of a laugh and I said “if there is such a thing as a six or seven-game contract please let me know because I will be ready for the last three or four games of the season and finals football”.

JA: Could you get yourself to an acceptable level by August?

GA: I’m doing a lot of shoulder rehab at the moment to get it strong and I’ve started running and building on my fitness. Yes, I am retired and enjoying the time with my family but if Geelong put that to me, then I am open to that conversation. I would then have to weigh it up. I feel as if my shoulder is a couple of months away from being as good as it’s going to get.

JA: What have you been doing in retirement?

GA: My recent passion is producing a wine collaboration with my father through Austin wines near Bannockburn. Shiraz for Dad which is his preference and Pinot Noir to me. I took Dad out there to understand the process. He then agreed to sign the bottles that we are releasing, which took some doing because he doesn’t sign much these days.

JA: Which is the better wine?

GA: The Pinot Noir obviously (laughter). No, they are both serious quality wines, otherwise we wouldn’t have been involved. We have hand-signed 2000 bottles with both the Pinot and Shiraz selling at $299.

Cameron Green was a run scoring machine at state level. Picture: Will Russell/Getty Images

GREEN’S RUN FEAST

At 21, Cameron Green clearly has age on his side in his attempt to become the all-rounder Australian has been looking for since Keith Miller’s retirement 65 years ago.

And in 18 matches (eight Shield, five Marsh Cup, four Test and one ODI) over the 2020/21 summer, Green showed enough with the bat (1389 runs at 55.56) to suggest that part of his game is in order, plus his fielding is of a high level.

The next step is his bowling, which on recent evidence has plenty of room for improvement considering he took just 3/612 (average 204) over all forms of the game. Pitching the ball up more regularly and getting some movement is the common cry from experienced onlookers.

HAMMIES IN TATTERS

Sadly Danny “Spud” Frawley is no longer around to challenge Jason Dunstall in all forms of athletic endeavours on Fox Footy’s Bounce, but some willing replacements have been found.

With Dunstall retired to Handicapping, a group consisting of Brad Johnson, Bernie Vince, Cameron Mooney, Nick Riewoldt, Nick Dal Santo, Leigh Montagna, Andrew Gaze and Sharni Norder competed over 100m at Lakeside Stadium.

I won’t spoil the result, but those betting on two hammies pinging are wrong......it was three.

The Fox Footy ‘Bounce’ team were in the wars.

FORMER SWANS TEAM UP

A couple of old Sydney teammates have paired up to help one-time Ovens and Murray powerhouse Wangaratta Rovers relive past glories.

Daryn Cresswell is senior coach of a very promising outfit that includes Tyler Roos, whose father Paul has been helping out Cresswell in recent weeks.

VAFA GOALKICKING GREAT

There is arguably nothing more glamorous in Australian rules than a legendary goalkicker, from Ken Farmer to Peter Hudson or bush legend Trevor Sutton.

And then there was Bill Pearson, the freakish full forward who booted 1022 goals for Old Scotch in the VAFA between 1931-37 at an average of 7.8 a game.

Pearson is naturally a feature of “Fighting for the Cardinal, Gold and Blue”, a centenary history of the Old Scotch Football Club painstakingly researched and written by Bruce Brown and Geoff McCracken.

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Toby Nankervis is in the conversation as one of Richmond’s best ever ruckman. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

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