From Nathan Ablett to Padraig Lucey: Geelong’s forgotten favourites

Geelong’s champions of the modern-era have had plenty of airtime, now it’s time for the lesser-lights to get a mention. This features the forgotten Ablett, a ruckman drafted at the age of 29 and a contestant on The Recruit.

Geelong’s champions of the modern-era have been celebrated at length during the AFL shutdown.

What about some of the lesser-lights who have pulled on the Cats guernsey over the years?

We are celebrating Geelong’s forgotten favourites, featuring an Ablett, a ruckman drafted at the age of 29 and a reality TV contestant.

GEELONG’S FORGOTTEN FAVOURITES

Nathan Ablett

Pick No. 49 (father-son), 2004 National Draft

Games: 32 (2005-07)

Here is the curious case of Nathan Ablett – or the ‘other Ablett’. A quiet and shy personality, Ablett didn’t play much TAC Cup footy to stay out of the limelight but managed to get plucked from country football as a 19-year-old father-son. The talented forward became a regular in their premiership year, booting 34 goals – including a three-goal haul in their thumping Grand Final win. That impressive display would be his final game for the Cats. Announcing in November 2007 that he was considering retirement, Ablett eventually pulled the pin in early 2008 – citing a lack of passion for the game – but left the door ajar for a possible return. Low and behold, Ablett was back training with the Cats in July that year, but an injury denied him the chance to prove himself for their VFL side. Months later, Ablett ruled out a 2009 return – saving his true comeback for his two game stint at Gold Coast in 2011 – deciding to become a plumber instead.

Nathan Ablett with his brother Gary after his final game for Geelong.

Henry Playfair

Pick No. 41, 2001 Draft

Games: 68 (2002-2010)

Henry Playfair is the archetypal injury-prone and inconsistent key forward – a common flavour throughout our forgotten favourites series. Taken alongside Jimmy Bartel, Gary Ablett, Steve Johnson and James Kelly in the 2001 ‘super draft’, Playfair peaked with a 20 game season in 2005 but setbacks and a lack of opportunity saw him move to Sydney at the end of 2008. He may not have played with exceptional grace throughout his 52 games for Geelong, but he always played fair. At 27-years-of-age, Playfair was forced into early retirement after suffering a serious back injury and has been a successful assistant coach at several clubs since.

Henry Playfair celebrates a goal.

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Kane Tenace

Pick No. 7, 2003 National Draft

Games: 54 (2004-2009)

With Kepler Bradley and Raphael Clarke drafted either side of him, there was plenty of expectation on Kane Tenace’s shoulders after being nabbed with pick seven in the 2003 National Draft. Tenace was unable to best their appearances at the top level, cut following the 2009 season. Naturally, he was then mentioned in the same breath as Lance Franklin and Gary Ablett by agent Ricky Nixon. After Herald Sun journalist Jon Anderson suggested that poor disposal ultimately cost him, Nixon hit back saying Lance Franklin and Gary Ablett also had flaws in their game.

Kane Tenace chatting with coach Mark Thompson.

Paul Chambers

Pick No. 10, 2000 rookie draft

Games: 44 (2002-2006)

Nicknames like ‘unco’ and ‘The Donut King’ say it all. Paul Chambers was renowned for struggling to get his hands on the footy, the second moniker stemming from his lack of kicks at his second club, Sydney. The ruckman averaged below four disposals per game across his career – his nine possession debut game remaining his highest tally.

Paul Chambers leaps high against Sydney ruckman Jason Ball.

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Kent Kingsley

Traded to Geelong in 2000 with pick No. 45 for pick No. 42

Games: 125 (1996-2007)

Probably a touch over-qualified to be among this bunch, but his rise and fall was dramatic. After playing just 12 games in his first four seasons at North Melbourne, Kingsley quickly became a prime target up forward at his new club. Kingsley was Geelong’s leading goalkicker in four straight seasons from 2002-2005, twice booting more than 50 goals in a season. Despite his success he was often maligned by Geelong fans for his inconsistency and wayward goalkicking. Following an equal career-high 57 goals in 2005, Kingsley’s form dipped significantly the next season, dropped to the twos despite a severe lack of key forward options. Having slotted 227 goals in 110 games for the Cats he was surprisingly delisted at the end of 2006, joining his third club Richmond for a season before he was culled from there too.

Kent Kingsley slots one of his 227 goals for the Cats. Picture: Kelly Barnes

Matthew Egan

Pick 62, 2004 National Draft

Games: 59 (2005-2009)

Possessing greater footballing ability than most in this list combined, Matthew Egan was an unfortunate hardluck story. An integral part of their 2007 side, Egan suffered what would be a career-ending foot injury in Round 22 of that year. He earned All-Australian status but his untimely blow saw him miss the entire finals series and their premiership. The gun defender was delisted at the end of 2009, Geelong retiring his No. 19 in 2010 in his honour. Since then Mitch Clark, Taylor Hunt and Quinton Narkle have inherited the number.

Matthew Egan (front row, middle right) was one of nine All-Australian Cats in 2007.

Egan beats Crow Ian Perrie to the footy.

Paul Koulouriotis

Pick No. 5, 2004 pre-season draft

Games: 21 (2000-2006)

Just rolls off the tongue, doesn’t it? Paul Koulouriotis was given a lifeline by Geelong following three years at Port Adelaide, playing 18 games for the Cats until he was cut again at the end of 2006.

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Ryan Gamble

Pick No. 47, 2005 National Draft

Games: 35 (2006-2011)

Geelong took a gamble on him at pick No. 47 and it looked to have paid off following a breakout 2008 campaign. Gamble slotted 21 goals in 13 games, which doesn’t include his pre-season five-goal haul against Port Adelaide in London. Despite helping attract the Motherland to the game of Aussie Rules, Gamble would play just 10 more games in Geelong colours, playing one season at St Kilda in 2011.

UK specialist Ryan Gamble celebrates with Jimmy Bartel.

Orren Stephenson

Pick, No. 78, 2011 National Draft

Games: 15 (2012-14)

You cannot question this man’s patience. Orren Stephenson was drafted at the youthful age 29 and battled manfully in his solitary season for the Cats. But after eight games of service the ‘veteran’ was delisted at the end of 2012 before being redrafted by Richmond.

Orren Stephenson celebrates his first AFL goal.

Padraig Lucey

No. 49, 2015 rookie draft

Games: 0 (2015-16)

If you thought Orren Stephenson’s road to the AFL was bizarre, it’s got nothing on Padraig Lucey’s. We don’t usually include players who failed to play a game but Category B rookies from an AFL reality TV show are an exception. A contestant on the AFL scouting contest The Recruit – that saw the Power draft Johann Wagner and Brisbane take Matt Eagles – Lucey managed to be plucked as an international rookie at the end of 2014, despite failing to win the show. The Irishman was unable to crack in to the senior side, booting 25 goals in a solid 33-game VFL career.

‘The Recruit’ contestant Padraig Lucey. Picture: Mark Dadswell

The Recruit contestant Brendan Goss with Padraig Lucey.