Central Murray: Balranald boost with inclusion of Nathan Ablett

A well known name made a surprise appearance for Balranald and bolstered the side in their best win of 2023.

Balranald was bolstered by the late inclusion of Geelong premiership forward Nathan Ablett in its biggest win of the Central Murray league season on Saturday.

The Kangaroos held on to beat Woorinen by 16 points with Ablett playing at centre half-back and in the ruck after agreeing to return to the club only last week.

Ablett, 37, has played on the Gold Coast the past two years and last played for Balranald in 2016.

“We’re not sure whether he will play the whole season yet,” Balranald coach Jydon Neagle said.

“But we will have him for the next month or so at least.

“We’re just trying to find him some work to fit in with some study he is doing.”

Nathan Ablett and Gary Ablett Jr hold aloft the premiership cup after the 2007 grand final win over Port Adelaide.

The 200cm key position player was a member of the Cats’ 2007 flag at the age of just 21 before walking away from the game at the top level.

He made a brief comeback in the AFL with Gold Coast when older brother Gary was playing at the club.

“He’s added a bit more height that we needed,” Neagle said.

Ablett’s previous stint with Balranald has made him a two-point player.

Balranald led by 37 points at three quarter time before Woorinen kicked six goals in the last quarter with the assistance of a strong wind.

“This was the game I was a bit nervous about,” Neagle said.

“We match up pretty similar to Woorinen and they are a very well drilled team.

“We had to bring our A game and we just got away with it because they had the breeze in the last quarter.

“It was lucky we had the lead we did because I don’t think we would have got the four points.”

The Neagle brothers, from left, Matthew, Jaxon and Jydon are playing together for Balranald this season. Picture: AAP Image/Dean Martin

Neagle, the reigning Jack Betts Medallist, was best on ground with brothers Matthew and Jaxon in the best along with SANFL recruit Ethan Gant.

Balranald narrowly missed finals last year and Woorinen reached the preliminary final and lost to eventual premiers Kerang.

Kerang is on top of the ladder undefeated and Kerang and Balranald will meet on May 20.