Jimmy Bartel predicts Gary Ablett’s new number at Geelong

JIMMY Bartel says Gary Ablett will be a man on a mission at Geelong next year, predicting his exact goal tally — and the number he will wear at his new/old club.

Gary Ablett, Jimmy Bartel and Paul Chapman after the 2009 Grand Final..

THE two biggest questions about Gary Ablett’s return to Geelong are: will he help the Cats win a flag, and what number will he wear?

Former teammate Jimmy Bartel has had his say on both today, and given his record as a triple premiership player, Brownlow and Norm Smith medallist - and long-time teammate of Abett’s - there’s a good chance he’ll be right on both counts.

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Ablett wore No.29 before leaving the Cats — but that number is now worn by Cam Guthrie. He wore No.9 at the Suns - that is taken by another former Gold Coast player, Zac Smith.

And Nakia Cockatoo jokingly told the champ to keep his mitts off No.5, made famous by Ablett’s father.

Bartel says there is a clear solution: “He’ll be wearing No.11.”

Gary Ablett with Jimmy Bartel after the 2009 Grand Final.

Gary Ablett Jr wearing No.11 for the Geelong Falcons in the TAC Cup.

The logic is simple — that was the number Ablett wore as a junior at the Geelong Falcons. And, conveniently, it just became available after this year’s No.11, Darcy Lang, was traded to Carlton on the final day of the trade period — six minutes before Geelong signed the paperwork to make Ablett a Cat again.

As for Ablett’s impact at his new/old team, Bartel was even more confident: “It will be enormous.”

Speaking on RSN927, Bartel was even prepared to put numbers next to his prediction: “He’ll average 25 (disposals) and kick 42.20. Don’t worry about tackles because he’ll be putting them through the big sticks.”

Bartel said Ablett was “unbelievably competitive” and would be on a mission to prove his doubters wrong.

He also predicted Ablett’s arrival would allow Guthrie would move back into defence, along with Harry Taylor, to help cover the loss of retirees Tom Lonergan and Andrew Mackie.