In a revealing interview, AFL icon Gary Ablett Jr has disclosed a little-known chapter from his youth: before embarking on his legendary football career, he harbored ambitions of becoming a professional surfer. The two-time Brownlow medallist, son of Hall of Famer Gary Ablett Sr, shared this personal insight during a conversation on Triple M's The Rush Hour with JB & Billy.
A Teenage Shift in Passion
Ablett explained that during his teenage years, he experienced a significant loss of interest in Australian Rules football. "Through my teenage years — and a lot of people don't know this — but I actually lost interest in footy," he admitted. Growing up near Victoria's surf coast, he turned his attention to surfing, dedicating a 12-month period to pursuing this alternative dream.
"There was a 12-month period where I wanted to be a pro surfer," Ablett said. "I worked out pretty quickly I wasn't good enough to make it." This realization coincided with an invitation to try out for the Geelong Falcons at age 16, leaving him uncertain about his future path.
Pivotal Advice from a Legend
The turning point came from a heartfelt discussion with his father, Gary Ablett Sr. "I had a great conversation with my dad and he said, 'I think you're good enough to make it at the top level'," Ablett recalled. This encouragement helped rebuild his self-belief, leading to a strong performance that caught the eye of the Geelong Football Club.
Geelong offered him a father-son contract, which Ablett decided to embrace fully. "At that time, it's about building that self-belief, and I thought I'll make the most of this contract I have been given — which was two years," he said. By his third or fourth season, he began to envision a successful career at the elite level.
A Decorated Career in Retrospect
Ablett's career culminated in an impressive list of achievements:
- 357 games played
- 445 goals scored
- Two Brownlow Medals
- Two premierships with Geelong
- Five AFLPA MVP awards
- Eight All-Australian selections
- Six best and fairest awards
His final match was the 2020 grand final, where Geelong fell to Richmond. Reflecting on his retirement, the 41-year-old expressed surprise at his lack of nostalgia for the game. "I've been out of the game five years and to be honest with you, I haven't missed it," he stated.
Highlights and Legacy
When asked about the pinnacle of his career, Ablett pointed to his premiership victories. "I don't think you can go past the premierships, that's why we play football," he emphasized. He also fondly remembered his debut in 2002, despite missing a goal in a loss, noting it as a milestone for any aspiring player.
Ablett's influence extended beyond Geelong; he was a foundational figure for the Gold Coast Suns, serving as their inaugural captain and spending seven seasons with the club. Although he didn't achieve team success there, he remains the greatest on-field presence in the Suns' history.
Optimism for Gold Coast's Future
Looking at the current Suns squad under coach Damien Hardwick, Ablett expressed optimism. "It's good to see them playing a good brand of footy. They have a great young team," he said. He believes their style of play is well-suited for finals and could propel them toward a premiership.
"They're an exciting team to watch but their leaders, the way they're playing, it's a good brand of footy and it will hold up in finals," Ablett added. He highlighted that continued success and finals experience will only enhance the growth of the game in the region.
