Ablett claims MVP honour

Updated September 12, 2012 07:39:39

Gold Coast captain Gary Ablett collected a record fourth Leigh Matthews Trophy after winning the AFL Players' Most Valuable Player award.

Ablett was voted by his fellow players as the best on ground in season 2012, polling 788 votes to finish ahead of Essendon skipper Jobe Watson (602) and Richmond's Trent Cotchin (495).

He previously won the award three years straight from 2007 through to 2009 while playing for Geelong.

Ablett said leading a younger, less successful club had helped him round his game.

"Being the captain up there, I've had to change a few things about how I've gone about football on the field and off the field," Ablett told reporters.

"There's no doubt that although I'm 28 now I'm going to keep trying to improve my game and hopefully help the team get a premiership."

The AFL Players' Association (AFLPA) used its annual awards night to reflect on the life and shock death of Port Adelaide midfielder John McCarthy.

AFLPA Chief executive Matt Finnis says there had been consideration given to cancelling the Most Valuable Player awards night altogether following the death of McCarthy in Las Vegas earlier this week.

But the AFLPA decided it was better to give players the chance to reflect on the 22-year-old together.

"We wondered whether this event should go ahead, we wondered whether it could ever be right to celebrate achievement on the field at the same time when football just doesn't seem so important," Finnis said.

"But the outpouring of tributes for John from players across the league reminded us that AFL players are a community, as well as colleagues and tonight is a night when we bring that community together.

"Tonight will be a sad night and a tough night, particularly for those who played with and against John.

"But it is a night where we support each other and where the strength and loyalty of all the AFL players will shine through."

AFLPA president Luke Ball says he was extremely proud of the way players from all clubs had sent heartfelt messages of support to McCarthy's family and friends.

"We players gather together in true heartbreak, with the loss of one of our own, John McCarthy," Ball said.

"The pain and loss felt by his family and friends puts our profession, our game and this finals series in perspective.

"Tonight I know I speak for the entire playing group when I say to the McCarthy family our hearts are breaking with you and you have the support of the entire AFL industry."

In keeping with the more subdued atmosphere, a planned red carpet arrivals ceremony was scratched.

The function opened with a minute's silence in honour of McCarthy, who spent four seasons with Collingwood, before joining the Power for the 2012 season.

In other awards presented, Watson was named the league's best captain and Greater Western Sydney's Jeremy Cameron took out the best first player award.

Geelong captain Joel Selwood shared the Robert Rose Most Courageous Award alongside West Coast's Beau Waters and St Kilda stalwart Lenny Hayes.

AAP/ABC

Tags: australian-football-league, sport, melbourne-3000, carrara-4211

First posted September 11, 2012 22:00:26

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Suns regain Ablett, Rischitelli

Updated May 10, 2012 21:40:37

Gold Coast prime movers Gary Ablett and Michael Rischitelli are back to help their side chase a breakthrough win over an injury-hit Greater Western Sydney.

The Suns also produced a feelgood story in the return of Michael Coad, a 28-year-old defender coming off two injury-ravaged years, who has been elevated from the rookie list to replace the injured Nathan Bock.

It was mixed news for the Giants for Saturday's clash of the winless expansion clubs in Canberra.

Adding to the loss of veterans Dean Brogan and Setanta O'hAilpin with long-term injuries, another experienced player James McDonald will rest.

But GWS was able to add some size and strength with the return of Israel Folau and Chad Cornes, while also regaining the club's top goal-kicker Jeremy Cameron.

Hawthorn lost captain Luke Hodge for Friday night's MCG encounter with Melbourne, after a knock to the back last round, and remain without key defender Josh Gibson (ankle).

But fellow tall backman Stephen Gilham will play his first AFL game since a serious knee injury almost a year ago.

The winless Demons dropped Lynden Dunn and Luke Tapscott and lost James Sellar (calf).

Collingwood forward Alan Didak will play his first match of the season against Brisbane at the Gabba on Saturday night, having worked his way back from a preseason adductor injury.

The Lions regained Andrew Raines and Josh Drummond, but lost Jed Adcock (groin) and Ben Hudson (soreness) among five changes.

Top-placed West Coast remains without injured ruckman Nic Naitanui for Saturday night's big Docklands clash with unchanged Essendon and has also lost Adam Selwood (hand) and Ashton Hams (suspension).

Adelaide, with Shaun McKernan suspended, will hand former Essendon rookie-listed ruckman Josh Jenkins an AFL debut against Geelong at Football Park on Saturday.

The Cats regained captain Joel Selwood and key backman Tom Lonergan, while midfielder Jimmy Bartel kept his spot despite an ankle concern.

Having been hit hard by the loss of star Adam Goodes (quad), Sydney suffered a further blow when utility Lewis Roberts-Thomson (heel) was ruled out for Saturday's MCG meeting with Richmond.

The Tigers chose not to replace forward-ruckman Ty Vickery (calf) with another big man, their only addition being the return of Daniel Jackson from suspension, although Angus Graham is an emergency.

North Melbourne ruckman Todd Goldstein was recalled to support Hamish McIntosh against the Western Bulldogs on Sunday.

Bulldogs defender Easton Wood (hamstring) joined fellow backman Lukas Markovic, Tom Williams and Dale Morris on the sidelines.

Their attack also took a double blow, with Liam Jones (back) and Nathan Djerrkura (hip) forced out.

Fremantle welcomed back ruck giant Aaron Sandilands for Sunday's Perth clash with struggling Port Adelaide, which remains without key forward Jay Schulz (eye).

Carlton regained captain Chris Judd and star forward Jarrad Waite for Monday night's clash with St Kilda, after both were rested last round.

Like the Blues, the Saints were yet to make any omissions, naming key defender Sam Fisher despite a hamstring injury.

AAP

Tags: australian-football-league, sport, carrara-4211, qld, australia

First posted May 10, 2012 19:53:50

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Ablett could miss next four games

Updated May 04, 2012 09:45:23

Gold Coast captain Gary Ablett fears he might miss four more matches as he recovers from a knee injury.

The Brownlow Medallist was sidelined for last weekend's match and will also be out of action for Saturday's home game against Fremantle.

Ablett said on Thursday night that he hoped to return for the following weekend's match against fellow expansion side Greater Western Sydney.

But the star onballer will not know for sure until he returns to run training on Friday.

"I was supposed to run Wednesday, but the doc pushed that back a couple of days and I will have my first running session tomorrow," Ablett told Channel Nine's The Footy Show.

"I have to see how the knee pulls up from there, but I'm still hoping I can get back for the GWS game ... the doctor's saying two to four weeks at this stage.

"I will know more after I have my first running session tomorrow."

Ablett caused a stir last Friday night when he posted a Twitter message that heavily criticised the way Fremantle's Ryan Crowley was tagging Carlton captain Chris Judd.

He called Crowley's tactics "a joke".

"It has surprised me, the amount of exposure (it has had)," Ablett said.

"I love my football, I love watching my football and I think all footy supporters would love to see the best players each week go out there and have a fair run at the ball."

Ablett also admitted he was unsure how umpires could crack down on illegal tagging tactics.

"It's tough for the umpires ... to watch every individual around the stoppages would be a tough job for them," he said.

"But it does get frustrating at times because you feel like you don't get a fair run at the ball.

"I don't know how the umpires can fix it ... maybe they pay a few more free kicks early on (in a match) so it does stop."

AAP

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, robina-4226

First posted May 04, 2012 08:10:22

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Ablett to miss Dockers visit

Updated May 01, 2012 16:51:16

Gary Ablett will have to wait for his showdown with Fremantle tagger Ryan Crowley after the Gold Coast captain was ruled out for at least another week with a knee injury.

The stage was set for a memorable clash between the pair at Carrara on Saturday after Ablett tweeted that Crowley was a "joke" for using negative tactics on Carlton's Chris Judd last Friday night.

But Ablett has not only been ruled out of the much-hyped match with Fremantle, he is also in doubt for the Suns' round-seven game against fledgling club Greater Western Sydney in Canberra.

The Suns were desperate to avenge their preseason loss to the Giants and create some much-needed season momentum with off-contract Gold Coast coach Guy McKenna's future being reviewed by the club's board.

Suns football general manager Marcus Ashcroft said in a worst-case scenario, Ablett might not be fit until the round-eight clash with the Western Bulldogs in Darwin.

"After reviewing his scans, our medical team deemed that Gary would miss anywhere between two and four matches, and we still believe that to be the case," Ashcroft said in a statement.

"We will be in a much better place to assess his progress once he has had a couple of running sessions under his belt.

"Gary is one of the most professional players in the game and we know he will do everything possible to get himself right."

Ashcroft was more positive about midfielder Michael Rischitelli (ankle).

"Michael has responded really well to treatment and we hope that he will complete a little bit of training tomorrow," he said.

"If he can do that, there would be a small chance that he will be available to play this week."

AAP

Tags: australian-football-league, sport, carrara-4211, qld, australia

First posted May 01, 2012 16:51:16

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McKenna has positive spin on Ablett injury

Updated July 10, 2011 15:12:00

Gary Ablett, Gold Coast's million-dollar man and the face of AFL expansion, could be sidelined for several weeks with a knee injury - but try telling coach Guy McKenna that is a bad thing.

Smiling in the face of another heavy defeat after his side's 70-point shellacking at the hands of Sydney, McKenna is renowned for chalking up his side's now-customary beltings as a rite of passage for his youngsters.

They may well become better footballers for the school of hard knocks that 2011 is proving to be for the Suns, but not even the loss of his superstar captain and the massive ramifications it will bring could get him singing the blues.

"I'd almost see it as a positive," McKenna said.

"He's been so good and he's carried such a workload so what that would do is now allow us to play another young kid and spread the load and see who actually wants to put their hand up and stay the course.

"If there is a beauty about Gary missing a game for us that would be it.

"We get to see and expose another boy that wants to have a crack."

That might be McKenna's top priority at the moment after an embarrassing display from the Suns.

They were held to just 36 points - the lowest total score in Gold Coast's short history.

"Individually and collectively, we lost a bit of respect tonight," he said.

"You're not going to win games of footy with 39 (inside 50s). The spark wasn't quite there, with or without Gaz.

"There was probably half a dozen fellas who flew that flag tonight and that was disappointing.

"With such a young group if only six are putting their hand up, it makes it very, very difficult."

Scans on Monday will reveal the extent of Ablett's knee injury, after he limped from the field during the first quarter.

The 2009 Brownlow Medallist returned during the second term before being substituted off.

AFL medical specialist Peter Larkins told Nine's The Sunday Footy Show that the first-year club's marquee signing was unlikely to be facing a long stint on the sidelines.

"There's no question that's not a major ligament injury," Larkins said.

"It's going to be either meniscus or just bruising in the bone, nothing more dramatic than that.

"It just doesn't seem like much at all."

The Swans have injury concerns of their own after their trip to Metricon Stadium - but theirs came before the match had even started.

Veteran Jude Bolton was an eleventh-hour withdrawal after complaining of knee soreness in the pre-game warm-up.

"When Jude says that you really listen because he's such a tough nut," Sydney coach John Longmire said.

"That doesn't happen too often to a bloke like Jude.

"I'm hoping it's OK."

Longmire will find out if he is after scans on Monday.

- AAP

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, australia, nsw, sydney-2000, qld, carrara-4211

First posted July 10, 2011 14:25:00

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Ablett expected to take on Tigers

Updated July 13, 2011 19:50:13

Gold Coast AFL coach Guy McKenna says captain Gary Ablett is almost certain to overcome a knee injury and play on Saturday against Richmond.

The Suns superstar injured his knee during Saturday night's loss to Sydney but McKenna said Ablett will travel to Cairns with the team and train on Friday before a decision is made.

"If I was a betting man, I'd probably think he was a good 80 to 90 per cent chance to play," McKenna told the AFL website.

"He'll definitely be going up. We're not trying to pull the wool over (Richmond coach) Damien Hardwick's or the Tigers' eyes. It's nothing to do with that.

"If he was sore and wasn't playing, he'd be staying down here to get right so he could play the following week.

"He'll do more (training) on Friday to give his knee more time to recover to give him the best chance of playing. If he gets through Friday, he'll play."

McKenna said it will be a huge boost for Ablett's team-mates if the skipper can take his place.

- AAP

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, carrara-4211, qld, australia, richmond-3121, vic

First posted July 13, 2011 19:50:13

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Ash cloud leaves Ablett stranded

Updated June 21, 2011 18:18:00

Flight cancellations caused by volcanic ash have again caused havoc with AFL scheduling, leaving Gold Coast Suns captain Gary Ablett stranded in Melbourne on Tuesday.

The Brownlow medallist will miss a Suns training session on Wednesday after revealing his plight on Twitter.

"Stuck in melbourne. chilly solo training session for me 2morro, not rapt, boys tell me it will be low 20's up on the coast!" he tweeted.

The Suns confirmed Ablett would remain in Melbourne until he was cleared to fly back to Queensland.

Gold Coast hosts the Western Bulldogs at Carrara on Saturday.

Coincidentally the Bulldogs flew out of Melbourne on Tuesday for the Gold Coast - a day ahead of schedule - due to air travel concerns.

They had been scheduled to leave for the tourist strip on Wednesday morning but had been urged by the AFL to depart on Tuesday afternoon as the volcanic ash threat worsened.

Just last week, the Suns and Hawthorn flew out a day early to Tasmania for last Saturday's Launceston encounter and Port Adelaide also flew 24 hours in advance for last Sunday's match against West Coast in Perth.

- AAP

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, australia, qld, carrara-4211, vic, footscray-3011

First posted June 21, 2011 17:32:00

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Ablett tries to lift his Suns

Published:Saturday, June 4, 2011 6:05 AEST

Gold Coast Suns captain Gary Ablett in his 200th game snaps a goal during the round 11 AFL match against the West Coast Eagles on June 4, 2011 in Perth

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Interview: Gary Ablett

Published:Sunday, June 5, 2011 3:34 AESTExpires:Saturday, September 3, 2011 3:34 AEST

Gold Coast captain Gary Ablett told Grandstand's Corbin Middlemas the Suns could take some positives out of their three-goal loss to West Coast at Subiaco Oval.

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Media Call: Gary Ablett Junior

Published:Wednesday, June 1, 2011 3:57 AESTExpires:Tuesday, August 30, 2011 3:57 AEST

Gary Ablett Junior insists his father was still a better player than him, as he prepares to play his 200th AFL match this weekend.

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Dad's still better than me: Ablett Jnr

Updated June 1, 2011 16:10:00

The comparisons between the stellar AFL careers of Gary Ablett Snr and Gary Ablett Jnr will be debated for many years.

Former Geelong coach and now Gold Coast Suns' board member Malcolm Blight, who was in charge at the Cats when the elder statesman was in full flight, is the latest to hold the two stars up to the light.

Blight says Ablett Jnr, who runs out on Saturday against West Coast for his 200th AFL appearance, is the superior footballer.

Not so insists the man himself.

The Suns' skipper rated his father and boyhood idol as the greatest to have played the game.

"I still rate my dad the best player of all time," Ablett Jnr said.

"It's very hard to compare us as players.

"I've played a lot more in the midfield. He took a lot more hangers and kicked a lot more goals.

"Until someone special comes along, I don't think it's going to change."

The Brownlow medallist and dual premiership player did make one concession about his father, best remembered for some of the greatest individual on-field efforts during a 248-game career which yielded 1030 goals.

"The only one thing I do better than him is handball," Ablett said with a smile.

"He used to always say to me 'mate, why would you bother handballing when the goals are in front of you?'"

Being compared to his father - as Blight did in News Limited newspapers on Wednesday - has been as much a part of Ablett Jnr's career as lacing up his boots each weekend.

From the time he stepped out for his first match against Essendon in round one in 2002, he has had to deal with it.

And any suggestions that he was only drafted back in 2001 because of his famous name had long been deemed absurd.

"There was a lot of people saying the reason I got drafted was because of my name," he said.

"I wanted to prove those people wrong.

"I moved on from that pretty quickly and, hopefully, I've made a name of myself now.

"I enjoyed that challenge a lot."

Not only has Ablett Jnr proved he is a different type of player on the field, he is far more media friendly than his interview-shy dad.

At Kurrawa surf club at Broadbeach on a chilly and wet Wednesday morning, Ablett engaged the media like his father never did.

Yet it was not always like that.

When he arrived on the scene a decade ago, many thought he brought with him his father's reclusive nature and disdain for the media and public speaking.

But there was a reason for his silence and it had little to do with being an Ablett family trait.

"I did for the first couple of years (find it annoying being compared), and it's probably the reason I didn't do a lot of media and didn't take the number five number (the same number his father wore to fame) down at Geelong," Ablett Jnr said.

-AAP

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, qld, carrara-4211, vic, geelong-3220

First posted June 1, 2011 15:06:00

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Cats mids keen for crack at Ablett

Updated May 24, 2011 13:13:00

Geelong coach Chris Scott says his midfielders are keenly awaiting the chance to go head-to-head with former star team-mate Gary Ablett.

Gold Coast captain Ablett has his first meeting with his former club at Metricon Stadium on Saturday night, the Suns' first game at their new home.

And with many of the Cats having spent years playing alongside the Brownlow medallist, Scott said they were keen to test how they stacked up against him.

"We've got a really competitive group and we've got a few players particularly within our group that would like the opportunity to play on him and beat him," Scott said on Tuesday.

"But that's easier said than done."

Scott said he had already had players indicate to him they would be keen for the job on Ablett.

While Ablett has speculated that the Cats are unlikely to tag him, Scott said they would certainly not let him run free.

"Good try. When there are opposition players the quality of Gary, we may not tag them necessarily but we'll certainly pay them a lot of respect."

But he said any attention paid to Ablett would be because of his quality as an opponent, not because he was a former Cat.

Scott said it was important for both clubs to maintain a professional approach towards the match and not treat it as purely a clash between Ablett and Geelong.

While Ablett left Geelong in his prime to join the Suns, Scott said everyone at the Cats still had enormous respect for him as a former champion of the club.

-AAP

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, australia, qld, carrara-4211, vic, geelong-3220

First posted May 24, 2011 13:07:00

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Suns may set on Cats: Ablett

Posted May 23, 2011 17:13:00

Sledging, mind games, big hits - Gold Coast Suns captain Gary Ablett knows exactly what to expect from his former club Geelong on Saturday night.

But an unfazed Ablett reckons the Cats may be in for a big surprise when the Suns host their first home match at the redeveloped Carrara Stadium.

Ablett may have played 192 matches and won two premierships with the Cats, but he does not expect much love from his former team-mates this weekend.

Especially after Paul Chapman claimed the Cats hoped to "knock him around" on Saturday night.

However, Ablett not only relished the chance to clash with his ex-club, he looks forward to beating them.

"It would be amazing to give them their first loss," Ablett said.

"I've actually been excited about this game for a few weeks.

"I am sure they will play a few tricks throughout the day but we will be ready for that - but we will play a few of our own."

Chapman recently went into brutal detail about the physical and mental treatment Ablett could expect this weekend, but the Suns skipper did not look concerned on Monday.

Asked who he expected to be the most "chirpy" on Saturday night, Ablett laughed: "I know there's a few boys who will but I am not going to say.

"I don't think they will play a tag. I think they will play a more offensive role on me.

"I've played football with these guys for nine years and it will be just good to get out against some of my ex team-mates ... and challenging myself.

"I guess them and Collingwood are the benchmark of the competition at the moment so it will be a good test for us."

Ablett says lessons learnt from their nightmare debut will not only help the Suns cope with the emotion of playing their first Carrara home fixture - it may just spark a boilover.

"There was definitely a build-up to the first game - as a club I think we have handled it a lot better this week," Ablett said.

"We will make sure the boys are thinking about doing things right on the training track and taking that into the game.

"If we can get going and kick a few goals early and the crowd can get behind us ... that will be a big advantage.

"It will be a tough game. We have to be competitive and do our best - hopefully that means giving them their first loss."

Ablett committed the AFL's equivalent of treason in Geelong fans' eyes when he took up a lucrative five-year deal with the Suns.

But it appears there are no hard feelings from some of his ex team-mates.

"I will probably catch up with a few of them (after the game) - they have all been pretty good," Ablett said.

"They're a great club. It's a fantastic effort obviously to be 8-0 at this stage wasn't expected by many."

The Suns played their first three home matches at the Gabba, while the Carrara Stadium was redeveloped.

- AAP

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, carrara-4211

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Media Call: Gary Ablett

Published:Monday, May 23, 2011 3:42 AESTExpires:Sunday, August 21, 2011 3:42 AEST

Gold Coast Suns skipper Gary Ablett says his former Geelong team-mates have not been giving him a hard time ahead of this weekend's AFL clash at Metricon Stadium.

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Interview: Gary Ablett

Published:Saturday, April 23, 2011 6:15 AESTExpires:Friday, July 22, 2011 6:15 AEST

Gold Coast skipper Gary Ablett told Michael Phillipou and the Grandstand team that his young team-mates needed to realise that if they stuck to the structures they would find their first victory after the Suns notched their first win with a three-point result over Port Adelaide at Football Park.

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Ablett tackles Thomas in Adelaide

 Published:Saturday, April 23, 2011 6:07 AEST

Gary Ablett of the Suns tackles Matt Thomas of the Power during the round five AFL match at AAMI Stadium on April 23, 2011.

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Ablett returns for Suns

Updated April 21, 2011 18:51:00

Gold Coast captain Gary Ablett will make his AFL return from injury against Port Adelaide at Football Park on Saturday.

The midfield star was one of four inclusions for the Suns, who are chasing their first victory, with 19-year-old former swimmer Jack Hutchins named for his AFL debut.

The Power lost Paul Stewart (knee), replaced by Jason Davenport.

Adelaide named ruckman Sam Jacobs to play his first match with the Crows against his former club Carlton at Docklands on Saturday night.

They also regained Michael Doughty and Richard Tambling from injury, but are still missing key defender Scott Stevens.

The Blues dropped forwards Lachie Henderson and Andrew Collins, but kept faith with out-of-form goalsneak Eddie Betts.

Essendon, who have lost Jason Winderlich and Courtenay Dempsey to serious knee injuries, also dropped Brent Prismall for Monday's Anzac Day clash with Collingwood.

They added David Hille, Andrew Welsh and Alwyn Davey to an expanded interchange bench.

The Magpies are yet to make any omissions, but ruckman Darren Jolly was named to return from injury, while Brad Dick was named on their expanded bench for what could be his first AFL game since injuring his shoulder in round 13 last year.

Geelong included Mathew Stokes, Tom Hawkins and Mitch Duncan to return from injury in a 25-man squad for Tuesday's big MCG clash with Hawthorn, who are yet to make any cuts.

Richmond will regain key defenders Luke McGuane and Alex Rance from suspension for Sunday's meeting with North Melbourne.

The Kangaroos have dropped forward Aaron Edwards and added experienced defender Daniel Pratt to their squad.

The Western Bulldogs lost forward Daniel Giansiracusa (hamstring) to injury for Monday night's match against Fremantle in Perth.

Father-son draftee Mitch Wallis was named in their squad for what would be his AFL debut.

The Dockers have lost Nick Suban (leg).

- AAP

First posted April 21, 2011 18:33:00

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Suns hit back at Ablett critics

Posted April 18, 2011 20:17:00

Criticism of Gary Ablett has already become "tiresome", according to Gold Coast Suns football manager Marcus Ashcroft.

Eyebrows were raised when Ablett remained in Melbourne for three nights after the Suns' heavy loss to Western Bulldogs then missed Sunday's 90-point shellacking by Melbourne at the Gabba due to calf soreness.

Especially after Ablett admitted on ONE HD's recent program One Week At A Time that he had crossed paths with Brent Moloney late on the night that cost the Melbourne midfielder the Demons' vice-captaincy.

While no one accused Ablett of drinking, Hawthorn great Shane Crawford became the latest to criticise the Brownlow Medallist when he suggested the Suns captain was in "party mode".

Ablett has done everything with consent and Gold Coast has mentioned numerous times that other players at the club have spent more time in Melbourne than the dual premiership winner.

But Ablett has come under fire for not doing enough to be perceived as a team man.

However, Ashcroft said the flak would not change anything at the club.

"It (criticism) is a bit tiresome because from an internal point of view he is doing everything right and doing a very good job as the captain of our footy club," he said.

"Gary is a complete professional. He does everything he needs to do to recover and prepare himself for a game of footy.

"Last week he had some soreness that forced him to miss yesterday's game (against Melbourne).

"But there is no direct correlation to him staying back in Melbourne (after the Dogs game) and missing yesterday's game."

Ashcroft insisted Ablett would play against Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium on Saturday.

And he did not think Ablett could have done more as Suns captain, despite also copping criticism for spending too much time away from the club from Melbourne great Garry Lyon, ex-Richmond coach Danny Frawley and Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett.

"People are entitled to their comment but what is important to Gary is how we perceive him and we have a very high regard for Gary and everything he has done has been with our blessing," he said.

"We have a lot of good young kids coming through and Gary is a terrific role model to them - Gary is certainly setting an example for them."

There may have been a perception Ablett spent too much time away from the Suns because he was such a high profile athlete in Melbourne.

"We treat it (time away) on an individual basis. But we encourage our guys catching up with family and friends - they deserve to have some time with family," Ashcroft said.

"It's just that Gary is more recognisable. When he goes back to Melbourne everyone wants to get his autograph - he stands out in a crowd."

- AAP

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Ablett pulls out of Demons clash

Updated April 16, 2011 13:23:00

Gold Coast's hopes of upsetting inconsistent Melbourne at the Gabba on Sunday have suffered a major setback with skipper Gary Ablett withdrawing because of a calf injury.

Gold Coast assistant coach Shane O'Bree confirmed Ablett would not line up against the Demons, robbing the Suns of their gun midfielder and also their third senior recruit.

Key defender Campbell Brown will miss a month because of suspension and free-running backman Nathan Krakouer was demoted.

Ablett's replacement will not be named until the official team sheet handover before Sunday's clash.

Who gets the call-up will depend on weather conditions.

Waiting in the wings for the tap on the shoulder are first-year trio Alik Magin, Hayden Jolly and Jack Hutchins.

The Suns' admission that Ablett will not play comes after the club's football manager Marcus Ashcroft allayed any injury fears and declared the Brownlow medallist would be "OK" on Wednesday.

"He has no real issues," Ashcroft told the media after Ablett failed to train with the main squad.

Suns' project player Karmichael Hunt may be one of several defenders saddled with minding Melbourne's exciting forward Liam Jurrah, according to the Suns' development coach Anthony Lovell.

Lovell said Hunt and fellow inexperienced defenders Josh Toy and Seb Tape were all likely to be on a rotation system to eyeball the spring-heeled Demon in the absence of suspended centre-half back Brown.

He said if Jurrah is firing then Melbourne is at its most dangerous and the Suns cannot afford the dangerous forward any chance to weave his magic.

"We have talked about him a little bit at match committee," Lovell said.

"He's one that clearly is a barometer of how Melbourne is going and if he's going well then usually they are going well.

"We may use a few different players on him.

"Remember our progress is as much about educating the young players as well as getting experience and you have Hunt, Tape and Toy who could all be given the opportunity to play on him."

After heavy losses to Carlton and the Western Bulldogs in their first two matches, Gold Coast appeared more suited, at least in the midfield, to matching it with Melbourne than their previous opponents until Ablett's withdrawal.

The Suns' on-ball brigade will now be led by Michael Rischitelli, Daniel Harris and 2010 number one national draft pick David Swallow.

Lovell said it is one part of the ground the Suns are confident they are of equal or better strength than the Demons.

He said if their on-ball division can generate enough drive, win contested balls and the stoppages, they will increase their inside 50s ratio and put scoreboard pressure on the inconsistent Demons.

"The stoppages will be critical," Lovell said.

"It's the team that wins the contested footy and the stoppages that usually wins.

"It's probably one area on the ground that we do match-up well against them."

The Suns promoted Matt Shaw and Luke Russell for their AFL debuts, while veteran ruckman Josh Fraser and Josh Toy will return to the side.

Melbourne named an unchanged side for Sunday's clash and it took the unusual step of heading to Brisbane a day earlier to allow it two Gabba training sessions instead of one.

- AAP

First posted April 16, 2011 13:18:00

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