Geelong recruiting guru Stephen Wells says Gary Ablett is back at the Cats to win a premiership

IF you think Gary Ablett joining Geelong is just about a romantic homecoming, think again. The Cats have one goal and one goal only for next year — a premiership.

Gary Ablett is back at Geelong to win a flag. Picture: Alison Wynd

GEELONG recruiting guru Stephen Wells says Gary Ablett is back at Geelong to win a premiership rather than just complete a romantic homecoming.

And as the Cats eye ex-Bulldog Stewart Crameri in Monday’s rookie draft they have bolstered their list with a trio of ready-made players.

Geelong was the talk of recruiting circles after Friday night’s draft given the instant impact most of their players can have next year.

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The Cats pair of new medium-sized forwards in Western Jet Lachlan Fogarty and WAFL mature-ager Tim Kelly could not have more contrasting journeys to Geelong

Fogarty is a 179cm hard-tackling midfielder/forward who will only need to drive 40 minutes down the highway to play with the Cats.

Gary Ablett is back at Geelong to win a flag. Picture: Alison Wynd

Wells revealed livewire 182cm forward Kelly’s wife was pregnant with twins but he was desperate to cross the country for his chance at AFL level.

The 23-year-old was second in the WAFL’s Sandover Medal, with tall Victorian midfielder Charlie Constable needing to build a tank but also a ready-made player.

Wells told the Herald Sun the club would consider Crameri with their only live pick in the rookie draft on Monday.

And while the narrative of Ablett returning home is a captivating one, Wells said it was also very much a business decision as well.

“It’s fantastic to have Gary back at our club. But we wouldn’t have brought him back if we didn’t think he was well motivated and that is to try to help us win a flag,” Wells said.

“And it’s great he is back in Geelong for all the personal reasons but in the end he is going to help our footy club for a few years to come.”

Fogarty is an aggressive 179cm midfielder who could cut his teeth as a tackling small forward before eventually pushing into the onball unit.

He could scarcely believe he might soon be playing with Ablett, Patrick Dangerfield and Joel Selwood.

“It was pretty daunting. West Coast did have pick 21 and if I went there I would take it with both hands but I am stoked I am at Geelong (with the following pick),’’ he said.

“It’s crazy, I actually watched Gary a lot because he’s a smaller midfielder as well and I will keep watching him and looking at his habits in training.

“It’s going to be amazing stepping onto the track with him.”

Lachlan Fogarty has landed at the Cats.

Wells said mature-ager Kelly had busted the door down demanding to be given a chance at AFL level.

“The thing we were attracted to with Tim is much like Tom Stewart and Sam Menegola, we have brought in players of similar age and they have been able to make a real impact for us,” he said.

“Tim just convinced us that he would do anything to get an opportunity and his performances in the WAFL have been outstanding this year and good for a number of years.

“Despite the fact he is having twins and has a young family he has great (excitement) to come to Victoria.”

On Crameri, he said the Cats would take 48 hours to consider their options.

“We will discuss all the players still available and look at our needs and he will be one player we will consider.”