"He was selected in his first year of eligibility, with multiple sources reporting the selection was unanimous."
Gary Ablett Jr. has been inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame, recognizing a storied playing career across 357 games for the Geelong Cats and Gold Coast Suns.
Career Overview
Ablett played 357 games across nearly two decades. He kicked 445 goals, comprising 247 games and 321 goals for Geelong and 110 games and 124 goals for Gold Coast.
Key Career Milestones
- Two Brownlow Medals (2009, 2013)
- Two AFL Premierships (2007, 2009)
- Six club best and fairest awards
- Eight All-Australian selections (2007–2014)
- Five AFL Players Association MVPs
- Three AFL Coaches Association Best Player awards
Draft and Playing History
Ablett was drafted in the 2001 'Super Draft' and debuted in 2002. He was a member of Geelong's 2007 and 2009 premiership teams. In 2011, he moved to the Gold Coast Suns, serving as captain until 2016. He returned to Geelong in 2018 and retired after the 2020 season, which included a Grand Final loss to Richmond.
"He credited a turning point in 2006–2007 when teammates challenged him to increase his training intensity."
Ablett stated in his acceptance speech that the Hall of Fame recognition was a great honor and that he was proud of his work to become the best player he could be. He noted that this increased training intensity contributed to his rise as a dominant player.
Family and Club Acknowledgments
Ablett thanked his family, specifically his brother, for not pressuring him into football and for encouraging him to pursue various interests. He thanked the Geelong Football Club for allowing him to live his dream at age 17. He also thanked the Gold Coast Football Club, stating that moving clubs and states was one of the most difficult decisions he had to make.
Hall of Fame Record
Ablett is one of four father-son duos in the Hall of Fame, following his father, Gary Ablett Sr.