Geelong players support Gary Ablett Jr in difficult times after mother-in-law’s passing
Former Geelong skipper Cameron Ling says he would love to see Gary Ablett Jr go out with a third premiership, as the little champion’s manager revealed when we would likely see him in a Cats jumper again.
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The romantic in Cameron Ling has him believing Gary Ablett can play a huge role in Geelong’s quest for its first premiership in almost a decade as the superstar’s manager detailed his desire to play two games before the finals.
As the Cats investigate ways to get Ablett to Queensland within the next week – where he would have to quarantine for 14 days before joining the group – Ling says the return of the dual Brownlow Medallist could provide one of the great footy farewell stories.
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Ablett has been working closely with former teammate Andrew Mackie in maintaining his fitness levels.
The Herald Sun revealed on Friday Ablett was looking to return to Queensland before the AFL’s next official flight on September 1.
“I am a bit of a romantic when it comes to Gary and the Cats. Just to see him get to play footy again would be great,” Ling, a triple Geelong premiership player, said.
“I don’t want to have seen it for the last time and not realised it. I am so excited to potentially see him back out there and maybe on the last day (Grand Final day) doing something special.”
The 36-year-old hasn’t played since the Cats lost to Collingwood in Round 7. He returned from Western Australia after that match for family reasons.
His 18-month-old son Levi is battling a rare degenerative disease and his wife Jordan revealed on Friday her mother Trudy Papalia had passed away after a cancer battle.
“He is going through so much at the moment with (his wife) Jordan‘s family and with Levi,” Ling said.
Ablett’s manager Liam Pickering said: “He is keen to get back … a couple (of games) before the finals is the plan to get him back in the forward line.”
“He is always good fresh. He comes in and gives them that bit of experience.”
Patrick Dangerfield said the Cats would dearly love to have Ablett back into a team that is now $6 to win the flag after Friday night’s 10-goal win over ladder leader Port Adelaide at Metricon Stadium.
But he stressed Ablett’s family came first.
“We are incredibly supportive of whatever decision he makes,” Dangerfield said on SEN.
“We are hopeful of seeing him at some stage in September and the finals.”
Geelong veteran Harry Taylor said his side remains hopeful Ablett will return to the Cats’ Queensland hub in the latter part of the season.
“He’s obviously dealing with a lot of things at the moment and we wish him all the best and we love him,” Taylor said.
“We’d love to see him back here at some point, but like everyone he wants to look after his family first.
“If he does that and can play footy for us it would be fantastic, and if not we’ll support him either way.”
FAMILY TRAGEDY FOR ABLETTS
Ablett’s wife Jordan shared her heartbreak at the loss of her mother, Trudy Papalia.
Jordan revealed on Friday night that her beloved mother had passed away on Sunday night, after a battle with lung cancer.
She told Stellar in May that Trudy had been sent home from hospital under palliative care.
“It is with great sadness we share that on Sunday night our precious mum and Nanna, Trudy, went peacefully to be with the Lord, surrounded by her loving family,” Jordan wrote on Instagram on Friday night.
“Thank you for your messages of love, care, and support—we are very grateful.
“With love, Keinzley, Nina, Jordan, Michael, Ben, Gary, Presley, Levi and Denver xx.”
Jordan told the magazine in May that she had prepared to be induced for the birth of her son Levi in order for Trudy to attend the birth, before fate stepped in and she went into labor naturally with Papalia waiting outside the delivery suite when Levi was born.
“I vividly remember Mum coming into the room, and I could just see the emotion on her face,” Ablett said.
“She started crying, because when you’ve been given that news you can’t help but think the worst. For her to be able to be a part of that moment was really special.”
Papalia said in May that she could not have been prouder of her daughter, who married Ablett on New Years’ Day in 2016, as she tackled motherhood.
“Jordan’s a natural beauty who’s determined, strong and fiercely protective,” she told Stellar.
“She treasures Levi, and lavishes her love and gifts upon him. I love watching her keep her focus completely on motherhood, her marriage and family. My grandson truly has the best mother.”
Gary Ablett had returned from the club’s AFL hub in July to support Jordan and Levi, who suffers from a rare degenerative disease.
The league’s next official flight is 17 days away on September 1, with Richmond’s Shane Edwards and St Kilda’s Dan Hannebery as well as assistant Jarryd Roughead among the players keen to get into those hubs.
But Geelong is keen for Ablett to get into a hub earlier than that date and serve 14 days of quarantine while also being allowed to train.
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If Ablett could train for that fortnight it would allow him to play at least the last two games of the AFL home-and-away season in a tune-up for the finals.
Over 400 AFL wives and children were just released from a 14-day quarantine hub on the Gold Coast on Thursday.
The AFL would have to gain permission to set up another hub for a handful of players but the players would need to be able to train on premises rather than be restricted to their rooms for two weeks.
Geelong plays Port Adelaide on Friday night in Round 12, with Ablett having flown home in recent weeks to be with his sick son Levi and wife Jordan.
Cats football boss Simon Lloyd said on Friday Ablett was determined to figure in the business end of the season.
“Gaz is keen to head up to Queensland sooner rather than later,” he said.
“We are keen to explore that opportunity. We understand there is a transition hub set up for September 1 but if there is an opportunity he would like to get up there soon.
“There are a number of players across the league who might look at trying to get up there soon.
“It’s a matter of weeks until September 1 so for us the best scenario would be working with the AFL to get Gary up there sooner.
“I have just received an email from our fitness guys and he has just finished a session today and they are big sessions, so he should move into our program quite smoothly.
“I am sure he would be welcomed by the team and coaches.”
Ablett’s 18-month-old son Levi is battling a rare degenerative disease, with the club fully supporting his decision to return from Perth to be with his family.
But Ablett has made clear that this is his last season in football and is desperate to finish his career in style with another premiership.
He has been in scintillating form and while in Geelong has been training with good mate Andrew Mackie, having taken on his No. 4 jumper when he returned to the Cats.
TWO YEARS FOR TOMAHAWK?
Gryan Miers suggested he was “taking the p--”, Dangerfield called it an “astonishing” performance, and two former Geelong greats forecast a new two-year deal for Tom Hawkins after his six-goal haul.
Hawkins, 32, is out of contract at the end of the season, but Cam Mooney and Ling believe his form warrants a two-year deal.
For the third time this season, he kicked more goals than the opposition, and @sirswampthing detailed on Twitter, it was only the 10th time in history (and the first since 1999) a player had outscored a top-of-the-ladder opposition.
Hawkins’ nine forward 50m mark were the equal most of his career, his seven contested marks matched his 2011 Grand Final heroics and his SuperCoach tally (204) was the highest of his career.
Ling said Geelong’s ball movement this season has more fluid this season – in particular the last few weeks – providing more space for Hawkins.
He thought a two-year deal would be fair, “if his body holds up”, stressing the importance of a power forward.
BETTER LIST BALANCE
Geelong has only missed the finals once in Chris Scott’s 10 seasons, but their inability to push beyond a preliminary final in recent years has brought into question the reliance the Cats have on their top bracket.
Not any more, according to Ling.
“I love what they are doing this year because it feels like it is (Cam) Guthrie, (Sam) Menegola, (Mark) Blicavs, (Tom) Stewart) and (Brandon) Parfitt and then also Dangerfield, (Joel) Selwood, Hawkins, (Harry) Taylor and (Mitch) Duncan),” Ling said.
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“There is a greater sharing of the load. If you are relying on only a few, it can break down a little, not through a lack of trying, but it has to be a collective effort.”
Champion Data rates Geelong’s attack as No. 1 and their defence as No.2.
The Cats lead the way in disposal differential (+45.9), uncontested possession differential (+38.8) and points for (74). Their defence leads the AFL in opposition points from turnovers (29.3) and opposition scores per inside 50 (35.8%).
Ling said fellow ABC Grandstand colleague Mick Malthouse had a theory that playing away from GMHBA Stadium this year might assist the Cats at the business end of this season.
“Mick said the forced relocation of playing on different sized grounds to GMHBA Stadium has meant the Cats have had to adapt and get a better feel for other grounds,” he said. “That seems to be working well.”
Add the possibility of a fresh Ablett at the business end, and Cats fans have every reason to be buoyant.
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Originally published as Geelong players support Gary Ablett Jr in difficult times after mother-in-law’s passing
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