Wednesday marks two decades since Gary Ablett Sr reached an amazing milestone.
On Saturday, June 22, 1996, Ablett kicked his 1000th VFL/AFL goal during Geelong's 19-point win over Fremantle at Kardinia Park.
Given the Dockers' lowly ladder position in what was their second season in the AFL, most pundits expected Ablett to bag the three goals he needed reach the milestone by half-time at the latest.
But he was well held for much of the game by his opponent, former Cats defender Stephen O'Reilly.
Ablett eventually slotted his third goal for the game and 1000th of his career 23 minutes into the third quarter.
Thousands of Cats fans streamed onto the oval after Ablett kicked the goal, and play was held up for quite some time as the police shepherded everyone back over the fence.
Ablett joined Tony Lockett, Gordon Coventry, Jason Dunstall and Doug Wade in the 1000-goal club.
He finished his career with 1030 goals.
GEELONG v FREMANTLE: ROUND 12, 1996
GEELONG 5.2 10.4 14.8 17.10 (112)
FREMANTLE 0.4 3.7 6.9 13.15 (93)
GOALS
Geelong: Ablett 3, Hall 3, Burns 2, Hocking 2, Breuer, Couch, King, Lord, Mensch, Riccardi, Tudor
Fremantle: Chisolm 4, Hunter 3, Mitchell 2, Bandy, Brown, Mann, Norrish
Official crowd: 22,116 at Kardinia Park
