Ablett leaves AFL hub to be with sick son Levi

Geelong champion Gary Ablett has rushed to Melbourne to be at the bedside of his infant son Levi.

Gary Ablett with wife Jordan and son Levi. Picture: Instagram

Geelong champion Gary Ablett has rushed to Melbourne to be at the bedside of infant son Levi, who he recently revealed is battling a rare degenerative condition.

The Cats superstar, who may well be in his final season of football, weighed up the merits of joining the hub given the health battle of his son.

Ablett’s partner Jordan posted a photograph on social media on Friday night of their son, aged one, at Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne.

The dual-Brownlow Medallist’s manager Liam Pickering said Ablett alerted him via text message this morning that he was leaving Perth immediately.

From a football perspective, he will be unable to play in Geelong’s next two matches in Perth against the Eagles and Fremantle at the very least due to coronavirus regulations.

The five-time AFL Players Association Most Valuable Player will need to spend a fortnight in quarantine in Queensland before he can rejoin his club, which will head to the state after completing their stint in the WA hub in early August.

Gary Ablett and son Levi

When Ablett’s return will occur clearly depends on the health of his son. But Pickering said Ablett will want to return to the field at some stage this season.

Fox Footy analyst David King said the decision was indicative of some of the challenges players are having to consider when committing to a hub.

Jordan also revealed to Stellar magazine in May that her mother Trudy was undergoing palliative care following lung cancer.

“It is not a football decision. We feel for him. I am sure all football fans are thinking of them,” King said.

The AFL has arranged for the partners and children of players to join footballers in the Queensland hub at a significant cost.

The decision came after the worsening COVID-19 situation in Victoria prompted the competition to move the 10 clubs in the state to Queensland for the rest of the season.

The eight-time All Australian gathered 19 disposals in Geelong’s loss to Collingwood at Optus Stadium on Thursday night.

His departure comes at a time the Cats are battling personnel issues, with captain Joel Selwood, veteran Mitch Duncan and Quinton Narkle injuring hamstrings over the last fortnight.