Mathew Stokes had to ask Gary Ablett Jr to play in the Northern Territory four times

AFL legend Gary Ablett Jr enjoyed a ‘month of pre-season’ before heading to the Northern Territory to make his NTFL debut. But, he’s told a packed Darwin lunch, enticing him here was no mean feat.

AFL legend Gary Ablett Jr had a “month of pre-season” in preparation for his Top End debut, the “Little Master” has told a packed room of fans in Palmerston.

The 38-year-old two-time Brownlow medallist and premiership star told attendees at a special event at Cazalys Palmerston about the weeks leading up to his first match for Palmerston against St Mary’s on Friday night.

He said he was training with close friend and former teammate Mathew Stokes back in Victoria, after initially telling himself he would never play again after his 2020 retirement following the AFL grand final.

“I said to myself after my third shoulder reconstruction that I wouldn’t play footy ever again,” Ablett said.

“I thought I’d had my time.

“I was just ready for the next chapter in my life.”

Gary Ablett Jr said he and close friend Mathew Stokes had put in about a month of pre-season before the match against St Mary’s. Picture: (A)manda Parkinson

However, things changed when Stokes asked him to venture up north to play at his junior club, Palmerston

“I said no to him three times,” Ablett, who is in the Territory with his wife and children, said.

“By the fourth time he had convinced me to come up.

“We agreed to do some training ... to get the body conditioned to play in a match.

“I thought: ‘Why not?’

“If there was any place I was going to play, I’d love to come play footy in Darwin.

“I’ve got great memories from my childhood being up here with dad, getting out and doing a bit of exploring.

“You can thank Maty Stokes for me being up here.

“I wouldn’t say that I’ve necessarily missed it, but after getting out there and kicking the footy with Maty Stokes, and doing a few sessions I’m pretty excited about getting out there tonight.”

Ablett Jr joked he might need an ice bath at half time. Picture: (A)manda Parkinson

Ablett spent time in the gym to ensure his shoulder was “nice and strong”, running, plus playing social basketball with Stokes.

He said was prepared for what the Saints were going to throw at him.

“We haven’t done a heap, we’ve done enough,” he said.

“About a month of pre-season.

“I don’t know if I’m ready (laughs).

“I’m hoping my hammy doesn’t go in the first five minutes (laughs).”

He joked he would need to bring some Hyrdalyte tablets and get the club to have an ice bath handy at half time.

Ablett Jr said he was looking forward to visiting a few Darwin locations after the game. Picture: (A)manda Parkinson.

Ablett Jr said around 300 players had attended an all-in training session last night at Cazalys Arena.

He said he would head down to local institution Crocosaurus Cove on Saturday and then Finniss River Lodge the following day.

“I’ve been told I’ll be in something called the death cage,” he said.

“I’m looking forward to that, we’ll see how we go.”

Originally published as Mathew Stokes had to ask Gary Ablett Jr to play in the Northern Territory four times