Ablett steps within inches of Gold Coast
Posted by Brent DiamondApr 25. 2010 9:16 am
GEELONG champion Gary Ablett further enhanced speculation that he would sign at Gold Coast for next season after he was seen watching closely into the Gold Coast huddle at the quarter time and half time breaks at Chirnside Park in Werribee last night.
His brother and Gold Coast recruit Nathan Ablett played his first game in Victoria for the first time since the 2007 AFL premiership win.
Gary Ablett last night declined to comment on his interest in the Gold Coast to The Sunday Age.
Gold Coast last night drew with Werribee Tigers at Chirnside Park, 12.12 (84) to 11.18 (84).
Gold Coast coach Guy McKenna said Ablett’s appearance at the game would have been a great spur to his brother Nathan, who impressed despite remaining goal-less on Werribee defender James Saker.
“It obviously would’ve been a great spur to Nathan and he would’ve been proud of Nathan’s work ethic,” McKenna said.
“He kicked a couple and defensively I thought he worked really hard.”
McKenna said he was impressed by Nathan Ablett’s defensive work.
“(He was ) much better, (maybe because) it was back in Melbourne,” he said.
“He’s probably getting a bit more supply. I know he’s an older head and an older body but he’s new to the system and new to the style of play that we play. In a unique position like full forward it’s going to take some time for us to get used to him.”
Former Hawk Mitch Thorp kicked the final two goals of the match to level the scores for Werribee after Gold Coast led by 20 points at the final change.
“I guess that’s expected. We had only about three or four boys cramp which is better than six or seven in the first couple of rounds. We’re getting closer and again it’s just the development of the guys. We’re still making some mistakes but we’re trying to play a style of football that we think is going to be AFL proof,” McKenna said.
By Brent Diamond, The Sunday Age
Filled under: Clubs, Geelong, Gold Coast, Latest News, Lead Stories
