Gary Ablett Snr and the Geelong Football Club.

It was a match made in footy heaven.

1021 goals, 242 games, three Coleman medals and AFL team of the century honours.

His first AFL/VFL experience came in 1978 with the Hawks, Geelong’s arch rival.

Hawthorn played him through the reserves that year and in 1980, but Ablett wasn’t accustomed to city life.

Back to his home town in Drouin it was for 1981.

Hawthorn again gave him another opportunity in 1982.

Ablett spent a season there during 1982, playing only six season games with his debut against Geelong in round two.

The Hawks tried their best to keep Ablett and help him adjust to city life but were largely unsuccessful.

Once a country boy, always a country boy.

Gary Ablett of the Cats takes a mark over Terry Daniher


Eventually, Ablett and Hawthorn parted ways, only for the Hawks to deny his clearance to play for Geelong before the 1984 season.

Thankfully, the Cats appealed the decision and acquired Ablett along with a $60,000 transfer fee.

This fee came to be like water off a cat’s back, as Ablett very quickly showed how much he was really worth.

Andrew Bews and Gary Ablett of the Geelong Cats joke around in the rooms


The connection between the Geelong Football Club and country Victoria has been proven to be a recruiting advantage all through the club’s history.

The evidence here is as strong as ever.

The link between the club and country is personified by the origin story of the great Gary Ablett Snr. who traded city for country.