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IMG STG launch garyablett.com
GARY Ablett Sr has asked for his son to be shown some respect as he decides his footballing future.
On a day where the Abletts, Gary Sr and Gary Jr, launched their website garyablett.com, the father expressed disappointment at the pressure his son has been put under this season.
"I am very pleased at the way Gary has handled himself this year because it has been a much harder season for him given all the unnecessary controversy surrounding his footballing future," said Gary Sr about a lucrative offer to his son from the new Gold Coast AFL team.
"I get extremely disappointed regarding all the people who want to throw their hat in the ring because no one really knows yet.
"Gary doesn't know yet because he hasn't made up his mind.
"You would think after all he has contributed to the game that the footballing world would give him the time and space he needs to make such an important decision at a crucial and significant time in his life."
The Abletts enjoy a close relationship and are far and away the most famous footballing name in the game. Their website has been created to help prevent forgeries of their memorabilia being sold.
Gary Jr said he has seen several items over the years with signatures allegedly belonging to him or his father.
"Unfortunately a lot of people out there sell memorabilia that isn't legitimate. I have been disappointed over the years to see some signed items when you clearly know it isn't your signature," Gary Jr said.
"And that means people are buying stuff that isn't real. So for those who would like some real Ablett memorabilia, we have set up this website."
The first two items to be auctioned by bid are the Drouin jumper that Gary Sr wore in the West Gippsland Grand Final of 1978 and a pair of Nike boots that Gary Jr wore when warming up on the MCG before last year's AFL Grand Final.
The Drouin jumper, worn by Ablett as a 17-year-old in his first and only senior premiership team, holds special significance given the family's history in the area.
Gary Sr wore No. 11 most of his childhood and, despite wearing No. 35 in his two years at Hawthorn (1981-82), requested the number when recruited by Geelong in 1984.
Instead the club gave it to a young recruit named Greg Williams, prompting Ablett to ask Williams for a swap.
The club wouldn't allow that, leaving Ablett to wear the No. 5 made famous by Graham "Polly" Farmer.
Ablett Sr has kept much of the relevant memorabilia from his career, including the boots he wore in the 1989 finals series and the complete uniform he wore on the day he kicked his 1000th AFL goal.
"Over the years, I have often been approached by people asking about memorabilia and where they can get it and that is one of the reasons we have created the website. This way we can guarantee authenticity," Gary Sr said.
His son has no doubt where his father belongs in the pantheon of AFL players. Just last Friday night, before Geelong's Round 12 match against Essendon at Etihad Stadium, Ablett Jr watched highlights of his father on the big screen.
"It's hard to believe someone could kick 14.7 and their side could still lose. I stayed out on the ground to watch it for as long as I could," said Gary Jr.
"What do I remember about Dad's career? Certainly the excitement after he kicked that goal after the siren against North Melbourne to put us in the 1994 Grand Final. I have watched a lot of his highlights over the years.
"He and I often joke about football. He will ring me sometimes and say 'you played well tonight and that was a great goal, buddy, but you haven't quite reached my level yet'.
"In my opinion he is the best player to have ever played the game."
"Nobody else could do what he could do. As I have always said, if I'm half as good I'll be happy."
"And if the club decides to name the new stand after him then the whole family would be very proud."
There is some conjecture on the actual name of the new stand at Skilled Stadium. Not whether it will be named the Gary Ablett Stand, because that will shortly be ratified by the board. But will it be The Gary Ablett Stand or The Gary Ablett Snr stand?
Source: Herald Sun