The hurdles stars Gary Ablett, Bachar Houli and Shane Edwards must clear before playing again explained

Queensland’s Government has explained the quarantine process stars such as Gary Ablett and Bachar Houli must undertake before they are allowed to play football in the state.

Ablett and the Cats are adamant his last match won’t be the loss to Collingwood. Picture: Getty Images

Gary Ablett’s path to an AFL return has been smoothed by Queensland authorities who will allow AFL players to train together while in hard 14-day quarantines.

Ablett is so determined to return to football that he has enlisted premiership teammate Andrew Mackie to continue his training program while at home in Geelong with wife Jordan and son Levi.

The Cats had not been able to get concrete guidance on whether Ablett would be forced to remain in his hotel in that 14-day lockdown in the Southport Mantra when he did fly north.

If he had to remain in effective lockdown it would have delayed a return further while he build back into match fitness.

Gary Ablett is adamant he has not played his last game and will rejoin Geelong in Queensland.

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A Queensland health spokesman told the Herald Sun that any players breaking COVID protocols would see harsh action against the individual and their football club.

But Ablett could train with teammates in that hub or even players from rival teams who were also in the same 14-day quarantine.

All of Geelong’s list are away with the football club in Perth awaiting games against Fremantle and West Coast before moving to Queensland.

It raises the prospect of whether a training partner like Mackie, currently working in the club’s recruiting department, could even quarantine with him to continue his training program.

A Queensland health spokesman said players like Ablett could use gyms within hotels and even leave quarantine to train on football ovals.

“Elite sporting teams quarantining in Queensland can still train and play matches but they must adhere to strict conditions,” the spokesman said.

Gary Ablett greets his son at Melbourne Airport. Picture: Jordan Ablett/Instagram.

“Players are allowed to leave quarantine to train with other players who are quarantined with similar circumstances, provided they have no COVID-19 symptoms.

“If they are using shared facilities, they must not interact with people who are not in quarantine. These facilities should undergo appropriate cleaning.

“Any breaches of quarantine requirements, no matter how minor, can be devastating. Action may be taken against both the individual player and their club.”

Richmond’s Dion Prestia and Toby Nankervis, Collingwood’s Jeremy Howe and Essendon’s Jake Stringer are all in that Southport Mantra hub as they recover from injuries.

But none of them are in a position to train after syndesmosis surgery for Prestia, Stringer and Nankervis and knee surgery for Howe.

Geelong was keen to clarify the process not only for Ablett but any other player that moved north.

Richmond’s Bachar Houli and Shane Edwards are eventually expected to enter that quarantine hub on their way to high performance hubs in Queensland so they can recommence their seasons.

Geelong have made clear Ablett’s return to be with his wife and sick child was a carefully executed decision, not a mercy dash despite his rare and degenerative illness.

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ABLETT LEAVES HUB BUT WON’T GIVE UP FLAG DREAM

Gary Ablett told his Geelong teammates on Friday night that he still plans to help the club push for the 2020 AFL premiership, despite being forced home to Victoria.

Ablett’s immediate football future is on hold for at least a month – and possibly longer – after he left the club’s Perth hub for family reasons.

The dual Brownlow medallist recently revealed his young son Levi was battling a rare degenerative disease.

Ablett’s wife Jordan posted a photo of Levi on Instagram on Friday from the Royal Children’s Hospital with the caption saying “My brave boy”.

Geelong general manager of football Simon Lloyd said the club would do all it can to offer support to the Ablett family through the challenging circumstances.

“Gary approached (coach) Chris Scott and I early in the week and obviously we are aware this is a deeply personal situation for Gary and Jordan,” Lloyd said.

“As a football club, and as the AFL, we totally support (Gary‘s return) on compassionate grounds and you will find this may happen across the competition in the coming weeks at different times.”

Ablett, 36, has already indicated this is almost certainly his final season, but Lloyd said the star Cat would continue training in the coming weeks with former teammate Andrew Mackie in the hope of playing again.

“I think Gary’s intention is to return to the hub at some stage, but that is something we will work (through) and we will stay in touch with Gary,” he said.

“He spoke to the playing group (on Friday) and he said he wants to get back and get playing, and his objective is to help Geelong win a premiership this season.”

Ablett will miss the next two matches in Perth – against Fremantle on Monday week and West Coast – and is likely to miss at least two more games due to quarantine restrictions.

The Cats, though, are focused more on providing support for the Abletts at the moment, although they are in discussions with the AFL about his quarantine options.

“The focus first and foremost is caring for Gary and Jordan and their family during this challenging period,” Lloyd said.

“Gary and Jordan’s ability to compartmentalise during such difficult times (has been remarkable). His ability to come into the football club chirpy and happy, and the care he shows for his teammates day in and day out (is) incredible.”

Ablett, who played his 352nd AFL match on Thursday night, will continue to be tested twice a week for COVID-19 in the hope that he could return to the club‘s hub if the situation allows.

His manager, Liam Pickering, said he expected Ablett to miss at least the next two matches before potentially rejoining his teammates when they return to Queensland.

Pickering said he was yet to speak with Ablett, but said on SEN “he’ll want to play again.”

“I haven’t spoken with him yet but I know he boarded a plane this morning and will obviously miss the next two games,” Pickering said.

Ablett played for the Cats on Thursday night, gathering 19 disposals in the loss to Collingwood.

Lloyd said the Cats had honoured their milestone duo Ablett and Joel Selwood in recent days after the pair played their 350th and 300th AFL matches against Gold Coast at GMHBA Stadium in Round 5.

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Originally published as The hurdles stars Gary Ablett, Bachar Houli and Shane Edwards must clear before playing again explained