Garry Lyon questions whether Gary Ablett’s injuries for away games are a coincidence

GARY Ablett has missed four games this season — all of them away from home — leaving Melbourne great Garry Lyon to question whether the Gold Coast star is picking and choosing when he plays.

MELBOURNE great Garry Lyon has questioned whether former Gold Coast captain Gary Ablett is choosing not to travel interstate with his side.

The dual Brownlow medallist has missed four games through injury this season, each one-week stints on the sidelines.

But Lyon questioned on Footy Classified last night whether it was a coincidence all four were away from home.

Ablett missed his side’s Round 10 match against Melbourne at the Alice Springs with a shoulder injury, Round 14 against St Kilda (Ethiad) with a calf complain, Round 16 against Sydney (SCG) with a hamstring issue and last weekend against the Western Bulldogs (Cairns) with the same hamstring complaint.

Gary Ablett after his side’s loss to Collingwood a fortnight ago. Picture: Getty Images

“It’s just interesting that you can miss one week with soft tissue injuries,” Lyon said.

When pushed by co-host Craig Hutchison whether Ablett was “picking and choosing”, Lyon replied: “The question would be, ‘How can you have a soft tissue injury that puts you out for one week?’”

“It is strange, and it’s hard to question a champion like that, but these are strange times.”

Essendon great Matthew Lloyd described the situation as “a watch this space”.

“I can’t wait every Thursday night for the next five weeks to see whether Gary plays or he doesn’t, because part of me thinks he’s possibly picking or choosing.”

Ablett hasn’t travelled since his side’s trip to China against Port Adelaide in Round 8, but has averaged 33 disposals from 13 games this season, up from 27 last year.

Hutchison said he believed Ablett has his heart set on returning to Melbourne next year, despite one year left on his contract on the Gold Coast.

The Suns return to Metricon Stadium Saturday night against Richmond, before travelling to face Fremantle next weekend.