Geelong premiership player Mathew Stokes says his close friend Gary Ablett Jr is primed for his Top End debut
An ex-teammate of Gary Ablett Jr has lifted the lid on the AFL legend’s preparation before his Top End debut, saying the experience had brought them closer together.
Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
AFL legend Gary Ablett Jr is feeling fit, competitive as ever and keen to learn more about the Territory way of life, close friend and former teammate Mathew Stokes says.
Stokes, who played in a premiership at Geelong with the “Little Master” in 2007, will run out with Ablett Jr for Palmerston on Friday night at TIO Stadium against reiging premier St Mary’s
The 38-year-old, who has just returned from a trip to Papua New Guinea with the two-time Brownlow medallist, said the pair had been training up to twice a week, either kicking a football together or playing social basketball on Tuesday nights.
HOW TO WATCH ABLETT IN ACTION LIVE AND EXCLUSIVE WITH KOMMUNITYTV
“We’re enjoying having the footy back in our hands to be honest,” Stokes, who was the catalyst behind luring Ablett Jr up north, told the NT News.
“The power of footy to bring us a little bit closer ... it’s been a really nice experience.”
Stokes said his close mate remained a “very competitive man”, which usually came to the fore with goalkicking competitions at the end of trainings, with suicide sprints for the loser.
“He gets pretty serious about that,” he said, expecting Ablett Jr to be in Darwin for four to five days.
He also said Ablett Jr was dominating their social basketball competition, estimating he was averaging well over 30 points a match.
However, Stokes said he hoped the Darwin community would see the lighter side of Ablett Jr.
He said his close friend was a seriously committed sportsman, but always enjoyed the fun side of football; a man who loves practical jokes, his RnB music and fancied himself as a singer and dancer like Chris Brown.
“He makes sure he does things with purpose,” he said.
“(But) there’s a larrikin behind the seriousness of Gary. I’ve always loved that part of Gary.”
While Ablett Jr remained in good nick, he couldn’t escape the fact he hadn’t played competitively since the 2020 AFL grand final, Stokes suggested.
“We’ll see him ease into the game, he hasn’t played for two years,” he said.
“I hope St Mary’s lets him ease into it.
“It not only helps Palmerston’s cause, but St Mary’s players will be able to walk away and say they’ve played against probably the best of all time.
“A lot of St Mary’s people have reached out saying how special this is going to be.
“This is a celebration of Territory footy.”
He expected Ablett Jr to arrive in Darwin Wednesday night, train with the Magpies on Thursday before checking out a few local institutions like Mary’s Laksa or Paul’s Iced Coffee.
Ablett will also head to a local lagoon for an exclusive function, about an hour out of town, later in the weekend.
“It’s a jam-packed couple of days but hopefully it’s a bit of an insight into the Territory,” he said.
“I’ll sit back in the background and let Gaz soak up this weekend.”
Meanwhile, Stokes expected to play more games for Palmerston towards the back-end of the season.
“Palmerston Magpies has always been an important part of my story,” he said.
“This year will probably be the last year I play footy.
“And Magpies will probably be the last club I play for.
“I’m really proud about the way the players have gone about it (this season). I’m looking forward to playing a small part of it.”
Stokes has also just returned from a four-day trip to Papua New Guinea where charity Children’s Fund, which Ablett Jr is actively raising funds for, is supporting the education of local kids.
“There’s a lack of equity in life (in PNG), for me to be able to go there first hand and see it, was incredible,” he said.
“There’s one side of Gary that people don’t see, is how much he gives.
“It was an experience that I will always remember.”
Live stream: How to watch Waratah v Palmerston in Round 17
Waratah need to regain their pre-Christmas winning form in time for finals and their match against Palmerston is as good a time as any to start. Find out how to watch the match LIVE here.
Why Darwin’s 13th rugby round will have extra meaning
It’s set to be a massive weekend of Top End rugby union with Darwin hosting its suicide awareness round and the 10th Slugger Cup. Read all about it here.