Glenorchy in talks to sign Gary Ablett Jnr for one-off appearance

The man regarded as being the AFL’s greatest ever player is in talks to play for a Tasmanian football club this season. Here’s what we know.

Glenorchy is on the cusp of one of its biggest signings with Gary Ablett Jr in talks for a one-off appearance later this year.

Magpies president Peter Barwick confirmed the discussions with the Little Master were ongoing for a game in the back half of the SFL Premier League season.

Barwick said it would mean so much to more than just his club.

“If we were lucky to get him to play a game here, I would try and get all the local junior footy clubs to come down and watch,” Barwick said.

Gary Ablett could be lining up for Glenorchy in a one-off game during the back end of the season. Picture: Sarah Reed

“Because with the way we are going now as a state, getting a side in the AFL and AFLW, he could very well inspire this next generation and what a story that would be if in 10 years time one of those kids tells the story of how they watched Gary Ablett play at Glenorchy.

“It would do wonderful things for our players, especially players like Jake Beams who will be able to see just how hard he works and that he doesn’t rely just on his talent alone.

“We are in talks with him to see who we can get it to happen but there are a few things we are working through together.

“It would be amazing to have him play for us.”

Ablett retired from the AFL following Geelong’s 2020 grand final loss to Richmond.

The 41-year-old played 357 games for Geelong and Gold Coast in a 19-year career where he was a two-time premiership player, two time Brownlow Medallist and a five-time Leigh Matthews Trophy winner.

Since his retirement, Ablett has played for a number of different local clubs around Australia, including a game for Central Trinity Beach Bulldogs in Cairns where he kicked a running left foot snap from the boundary inside the first minute – a goal which went viral.

His last game was in 2023 when he played for Drouin in Victoria’s Gippsland region.

The announcement of the potential of Ablett playing for the Magpies comes just days after former Gold Coast and Carlton forward and Hobart born Levi Casboult laced up for Glenorchy.

“We saw just how the players responded to Levi on the weekend and how they got up for it, can only imagine what they would be like if we get Ablett,” Barwick said.