Former Geelong star Mathew Stokes reveals how he got his close mate Gary Ablett Jr to play at Palmerston

A former Geelong teammate has revealed the details of a secret plan to get Gary Ablett Jr to play at Palmerston this NTFL season.

A SECRET plan to lure Gary Ablett Jr to play football in the Top End this season was at least four months in the making, former teammate and Palmerston junior Mathew Stokes says.

Ablett Jr will play for Palmerston on November 18 at TIO Stadium against reigning premier St Mary’s, after he was coaxed up north by close friend Stokes earlier this year.

It will be one of the most anticipated matches from the 2022-23 NTFL season, which will see at least five AFL big names of the past take to the field, including Eddie Betts and Hamish Hartlett.

Stokes, who plays social basketball with Ablett Jr on Tuesday nights in Geelong and sat next to him in the locker room during their time at Kardinia Park, told SEN Top End this week he asked the dual Brownlow medallist recently if he could do him a favour.

“I mentioned to him one night: ‘I’m doing all these favours for you, is there a chance you ever playing footy again?’

After Ablett Jr said yes, Stokes suggested the 38-year-old come to Darwin to play, to which he replied: “With you?” with a smile.

“I said: ‘Yeah, with me’,” Stokes recalled.

“And then he said: ‘Let’s do it’. It was pretty much that easy.

“He is one of the most giving, one of the best blokes I know in the footy industry.

“The first thing he mentioned was: ‘What can I do for the NT community?’”

Stokes and Gary Ablett Jr during their playing days at Geelong in 2009. Picture: Michael Klein.

Stokes said Ablett Jr would have some work to do on his fitness before making his Top End debut, and would possibly struggle with the local humidity.

“I think his skin will probably get the worst hit, he’s a very pale man,” he said with a laugh.

“I think he will struggle with the humidity, especially in November.

“But he’s extremely professional. His skill level won’t be an issue.”

Expecting Ablett Jr, to play both in the midfield and in the forward line, Stokes said his friend would rise to the challenge of playing semi-professional footy again after retiring from the Cats in 2020.

“He’s probably one of the most competitive blokes I’ve ever seen,” he said.

“He would be on par with Joel Selwood ... (he) refuses to lose.”

Stokes, who made his Men’s Premier League debut at 14 with the Pies alongside Alwyn Davey and Nicky Winmar after he had retired from the AFL, will play for Palmerston before Christmas this season.

“I can’t wait, it’s something that I’ve missed,” Stokes said, who had run several half marathons in recent years to keep in shape.

“My body is pretty good.”

Thousands more Territory fans could watch Gary Ablett Jr make his NTFL debut

AFL legend Gary Ablett Jr could make his NTFL debut in front of a packed TIO Stadium after the AFLNT accepted his new club’s request to change the venue of its home game.

Palmerston announced on Tuesday the dual Brownlow medallist and premiership player would play at Cazalys Arena this season.

The match promises to be a blockbuster with Ablett Jr poised to team up with fellow icon Eddie Betts against reigning premiers St Mary’s on November 18.

In a video posted by Palmerston on its Facebook page, Ablett Jr said he was keen to be a part of the “Palmy Army”.

“I’m really looking forward to the opportunity of playing with you again,” Ablett Jr said to his former Cats teammate Mathew Stokes.

“Heading up there and being part of the Palmy Army.

“I’ve got a bit of work to do, but I know we’ll have lots of fun ... and we hope to see you there.”

Mathew Stokes and Gary Ablett Jr appeared in a video for Palmerston Football Club. Picture: Palmerston Football Club.

Former Magpie junior Stokes will also return to the club to play alongside Ablett Jr.

“I can’t wait to get home and play with the Palmy Army again,” Stokes said in the club video.

“I’m looking forward to it, and in a special treat, I’m bringing a friend with me.”

Palmerston coach Josh Heath said the club was “super proud to have him on board”.

“We’ve tried to keep it under wraps as best as possible and it’s been quite a bit of a journey with him,” Heath said.

“He’s pretty busy and pretty private, but just to have him for the one game is a massive coup for us and we’re super excited.

“We’re working tirelessly in the background to get Palmerston back to where they need to be in the competition and community and to have someone like him show faith is something you can’t buy.”

He said the club was “super excited” to have him in black and white.

“We hope to see him tear it up in the midfield. Hopefully it will be Ablett to Eddie and then goal,” he said.

“We want to be a destination club. To have quality players come up, we want juniors to see that and join us.”

Heath said Ablett Jr could take the number 29, nine or four and the club would make a contribution to the Gary Ablett Foundation, but would not disclose the figure.

Club president Russell Davey said it was one of the biggest things to happen to the Pies, which celebrates its 50th year this season.

“I’ve been here all my life, it was similarly massive last year with Eddie,” Davey said.

“It’s about putting Palmerston back on the map, we haven’t made finals for 20 years and to slowly get that excitement back with these guys coming in, is something special.”

AFLNT chief executive Sam Gibson said the peak body was “thrilled” to have Ablett Jr heading north and wanted to ensure as many people could attend the game as possible.

“As we saw with Eddie Betts last year, the interest this creates both locally and nationally is great for the competition,” Gibson said.

“It’s hard to imagine a bigger home and away game in recent history; Palmerston with Ablett, Betts and Stokes versus the reigning premier on a Friday night.

“It’s incredibly exciting for the Top End.”

Originally published as Former Geelong star Mathew Stokes reveals how he got his close mate Gary Ablett Jr to play at Palmerston