News Nathan Ablett signs with Gold Coast

[pinion]

One factor I know our club will push is the veteran list. Gaz should be eligible when he turns 28 right? He is going to get big money from us in his normal contract ($700k would be expected) but when he hits the vets match the GC money, $1.4m, still $700k on our books. Give him that for 2 or 3 years and as he passes 30 he is hell loaded and still with the club.

i think it's changed to over 30 for the veterans list.

 

[catswhiskers]

http://www.theage.com.au/news/rfnews/abletts-passion-convinces-coast/2009/11/05/1257247703425.html

Nathan has signed for the princely sum of 300$ per game. If you break the number one rule of journalism (never believe what you read in a newspaper [or internet chat site]) then that sum says a lot.

Whats the go? GCFC don't believe Nathan is doing anything other than getting ready for a second tilt at the cattery. They have given themselves one year to convince him otherwise and use his name in recruiting youngsters. One more year out (of AFL) and Nablett can nominate the club he wants. I still reckon he will play at Geelong if he can get his head around AFL and its demands this time.

On Gablett - he will be a one club player. Very Very few champion players leave home to go interstate and burn their connection with the club they started in. [Judd came home.]

 

[TheMightyAchilles]

How is it a dog act?

It's GC or nothing for Nathan. Geelong won't give him another chance nor will any other AFL club. He has a year to prove he wants to play, if he truly has the passion this time then good luck to him. This way he actually gets the chance to represent a club at a lower level for 12 months before they make a call on whether he is worth giving a list spot.

geelong were paying him in his sabatical year

he owes geelong more than you think

was paid overs to play too

double edged sword here

 

[fpm84]

I've always thought that Nathan would be welcomed back with open arms at GFC, however I think he may have burnt his bridges this week. Frank has always spoken very highly of Nathan but after the news this week he was on SEN saying it was 'highly doubtful' Nathan would ever play AFL again because of the training and hard work involved.

I am sure many people at the club harboured thoughts Nathan was uncommitted and/or lazy at his time, and were angry or disappointed when he walked out post-premiership, but I think some view this as a slap in the face.

I have always supported Nathan and accepted his decision to leave the club but I am not happy with this news.

It is also very disappointing that seeing his former teammates celebrate this year's flag was the catalyst for wanting to return. If anything, seeing us lose last year should have spurred him on to return and think 'maybe I could have been the difference.' His comments this week indicate that he wants the success and the premierships but isn't too fussed about the gutting failures along the way.

 

[OldStyle2007]

Nobody has mentioned that Gary might be a bit annoyed with his brother. I'd imagine that he would have tried to keep Nathan at the Cats and he we know he did a lot to set up Nathan's spot in the senior side by kicking the ball to him at any opportunity

This is a bit of a slap in the face for those efforts

SO what I'm saying is maybe this makes it less likely that Gaz would go to the GC

 

[FoxC]

I've always thought that Nathan would be welcomed back with open arms at GFC, however I think he may have burnt his bridges this week. Frank has always spoken very highly of Nathan but after the news this week he was on SEN saying it was 'highly doubtful' Nathan would ever play AFL again because of the training and hard work involved.

I am sure many people at the club harboured thoughts Nathan was uncommitted and/or lazy at his time, and were angry or disappointed when he walked out post-premiership, but I think some view this as a slap in the face.

I have always supported Nathan and accepted his decision to leave the club but I am not happy with this news.

It is also very disappointing that seeing his former teammates celebrate this year's flag was the catalyst for wanting to return. If anything, seeing us lose last year should have spurred him on to return and think 'maybe I could have been the difference.' His comments this week indicate that he wants the success and the premierships but isn't too fussed about the gutting failures along the way.

Very well said fpm84, you summed it up beautifully.

I too defended Nathan when he was bagged by many posters for being "weak" when he walked out on us, but as I've said in another post, if he ever plays AFL for GC it'll be a massive slap in the face for our club. We all know he had talent but without hard work whether that talent is enough to get him back at AFL level remains to be seen.

I also think that Ken Hinkley's presence at GC has undoubtedly swayed him even more. Let's hope Gary has more sense in him.

 

[Partridge]

Very well said fpm84, you summed it up beautifully.

I too defended Nathan when he was bagged by many posters for being "weak" when he walked out on us, but as I've said in another post, if he ever plays AFL for GC it'll be a massive slap in the face for our club. We all know he had talent but without hard work whether that talent is enough to get him back at AFL level remains to be seen.

I also think that Ken Hinkley's presence at GC has undoubtedly swayed him even more. Let's hope Gary has more sense in him.

I don't think many people are defending Nathan now.

When Ablett left Geelong, although I totally disagreed with his decision, at least he did it in one clean break. Stated he didn't have the desire or motivation required for the top level. Fine. Still thought he was an idiot for wasting an enormous natural talent (and still do), but that's the way it transpired.

Now, I can't think of anything complimentary to say about him. He's probably found out life is slightly more difficult than it was playing footy, well no shit, what did you expect? He's now turned around and said he's keen to play again. Given his statements in 2007, that means he's either woefully indecisive or an outright liar.

It's curious how some posters have mentioned he's got Gary senior's work ethic - sorry but that's utter garbage. His father stuck around long enough to play 248 games. He wouldn't have got anywhere near that if he was half interested.

I really hope people don't buy the "less hype on the Gold Coast", or "media pressure" fallacies. How many interviews has Matthew Scarlett ever given? It's nonsense, what pressure and public exposure there is is part of the package for having an extremely cushy life, and getting paid a lot of money for it.

He simply has no conception about what opportunities Geelong gave him it seems, well I hope he enjoys playing VFL while his brother gets canonised, or plays in yet more premierships at Geelong. That'll make his decision to leave look so much better.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

i think it's changed to over 30 for the veterans list.

I understood the qualification to be 10 years at a club, so he could qualify at 28?

 

[Big Nasty]

I understood the qualification to be 10 years at a club, so he could qualify at 28?

That's what I thought. I mentioned in another thread that all he needs to do is wait 2-3 years and he could get $2 million plus a season on the veterens list. That would probably mean he would earn more money by the end of his career staying at Geelong, than going to the Gold Cost.

 

[PINNACLE HEALTH]

Its alright when Geelong shafts King out the door and numerous others , like other clubs do, but now when a player supposably shafts Geelong you guys get on here and have a sooky lala.
Its happened before and will happen again.

Build a bridge.

 

[winty]

Would be a good player if he wanted to. Only wants to for the $$. List clogger. Gone in 6 months.

Edited for accuracy.

Had to laugh when someone on the Gold Coast board was saying that Nathan was signed so he could show the youngsters what commitment and hard work is all about. They do know his history, don't they?

 

[Vdubs]

Best case scenario - Nathan gets superfit, plays VFL, gets his head right then we poach him back from the Gold Coast to play with his brother.

Agree completely- these supporters angrily denying Nathan has it in him to renew his career should be remembering his genes and hoping we get him back. Check out the 07 highlights and see his talent when he was troubled and allegedly hardly training. If he has seen the light and gets fit we should do ALL to get him back home.

 

[krisholio14]

People also seem to forget his dad wasn't exactly commited to his footy career first time around either. He managed to come back in a more suitable environment and go alright though didn't he?

 

[AM]

Has this board had more written about a bloke who took so much but who gave so little? As Ken Hinkley said on radio last night (including that he approached Nathan, not the other way around as has been put about) all the GC has done is to invite him the play VFL next year to see how he copes with it. It may go no further than that.

As for him ever returning to the Cats, it’s never going to happen. Nor should it. We want players with a work ethic and a feeling for the club. Nathan had neither. Hawkins is going to be way better long term value than Nathan. Get over it guys.

 

[TheBigCat]

If he's only getting $300 per game he would be one of the lowest paid ex AFL players in the VFL. Kids who get delisted get paid twice that without an AFL game to their name.

 

[hamG]

So it was them who contacted Nathan and all he's going to do is run around in the VFL for peanuts. If he plays well enough and figures out he DOES want to resume his professional career then what can you do? He's just testing the waters of his life, not about to kick a tonne and lead GC to a premiership (hopefully no one bumps this post in five years haha).

Look at the positives, if he was still on our list he'd be taking up cap space and increase our chances of losing one of our guns

I think Mitch Brown is a better prospect. Bring on zee future.

 

[cancat]

We've got Tom Lonergan on our list and people are saying they wouldn't have Nathan back?

 

[CatTricks]

We've got Tom Lonergan on our list and people are saying they wouldn't have Nathan back?

Id rather have Nathan than Lonners..

 

[winty]

We've got Tom Lonergan on our list and people are saying they wouldn't have Nathan back?

Lonners nearly died, yet decided to try and come back, and ended up playing in a grand final side, despite not being one of the most talented big blokes running around. People would have understood if he decided to pull the plug on his career after losing a kidney, but to his credit, he wanted to make a comeback, and to play AFL footy 18 months later is a testament to his willingness to be a footballer.

Nathan has all the talent in the world, yet doesn't possess the desire or the commitment to make full use of it, or at least he didn't when he was at Geelong. Yes Nathan is more talented than Lonners, but Lonners craps all over him in terms of his willingness to actually do as much as he can during games.

I'd rather a bloke who tries his guts out to try and perform to the best of his ability rather than a bloke who is supremely talented but doesn't put in the hard yards.

You just need to look at his brother. Early on in Gary's career he just did the bare minimum and was just a good player. During the review in 2006, he was told if he extracted the digit and did more work on the track, he'd be a superstar, and here we are, 3 AFLPA and AFLCA MVP awards and 1 Brownlow Medal later.

Full credit to the Gold Coast if they get Nathan to extract the digit and actually apply himself, but I won't hold my breath waiting for it.

 

[thejester]

Having seen a Guy McKenna coached Queensland that consisted of 80% GC listed players a couple of times at the champs this year, I can see why they want him. If this was actually a plot to lure Gary, they'd have signed Nathan to a long-term, better paying contract. They're paying him $300 a game - and with respect, I make more pulling coffees three shifts a week with absolutely no restrictions on my lifestyle, eating habits etc.

Rather than being some complex operation to get Ablett (and tbh I'd be more worried about Selwood, if I was worried at all) I suspect this is simply a reflection that, as it stands, GC's side didn't set the world on fire last year and they're taking a bunch of 18 and 19 yr olds into senior footy. They need all the mature bodies they can get and for all his flakiness/laziness/whatever Ablett has played AFL and has played in a premiership.

 

[Gaz_Brownlow]

First and Foremost, the Abletts owe absolutely NOTHING to the Geelong Football Club. Never amongst the history of football has two individuals given so much to one club - the interest, sponsorship, media attention, fan devotion and pure joy from every football enthusiast all account for far far far more than the combined 3 million salary that has been paid to both Gary Snr and Jnr. Now chuck in the value of Nathan who was coaxed to the club late and begged to play and you can put 2 and 2 together....He and any other Ablett owe us nothing.

We paid Nathan jack shite, he was a reasonable player who could be a lot more, but we hardly invested much in him.....think about what we have given David Spriggs or Kane Tenace in comparison. For anybody to turn around and also call him a gold digger when he is on match payments only for $300 is absolutely ludicrous....Nathan has never ever earned much from Football - i think his biggest Geelong contract was for 150k a year (correct me if im wrong?) and this was only for 2 years!!

I hope he decides to play, and i hope he does well and enjoys himself up in the gold coast. The world will only be a better place to see him kicking around a footy again.

Whats more, the guy is an incredibly good bloke and does not need the criticism from some two bit internet forum posters accusing him of selfishness, laziness and treason! Just let him play and enjoy football

 

[Vdubs]

First and Foremost, the Abletts owe absolutely NOTHING to the Geelong Football Club. Never amongst the history of football has two individuals given so much to one club - the interest, sponsorship, media attention, fan devotion and pure joy from every football enthusiast all account for far far far more than the combined 3 million salary that has been paid to both Gary Snr and Jnr. Now chuck in the value of Nathan who was coaxed to the club late and begged to play and you can put 2 and 2 together....He and any other Ablett owe us nothing.

We paid Nathan jack shite, he was a reasonable player who could be a lot more, but we hardly invested much in him.....think about what we have given David Spriggs or Kane Tenace in comparison. For anybody to turn around and also call him a gold digger when he is on match payments only for $300 is absolutely ludicrous....Nathan has never ever earned much from Football - i think his biggest Geelong contract was for 150k a year (correct me if im wrong?) and this was only for 2 years!!

I hope he decides to play, and i hope he does well and enjoys himself up in the gold coast. The world will only be a better place to see him kicking around a footy again.

Whats more, the guy is an incredibly good bloke and does not need the criticism from some two bit internet forum posters accusing him of selfishness, laziness and treason! Just let him play and enjoy football

Absolutely PERFECTLY spot on and true. What's more, he will in all likelihood blossom into another son of a gun and have us in awe of him too, no doubt imo.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Lonners nearly died, yet decided to try and come back, and ended up playing in a grand final side, despite not being one of the most talented big blokes running around. People would have understood if he decided to pull the plug on his career after losing a kidney, but to his credit, he wanted to make a comeback, and to play AFL footy 18 months later is a testament to his willingness to be a footballer.

Nathan has all the talent in the world, yet doesn't possess the desire or the commitment to make full use of it, or at least he didn't when he was at Geelong. Yes Nathan is more talented than Lonners, but Lonners craps all over him in terms of his willingness to actually do as much as he can during games.

I'd rather a bloke who tries his guts out to try and perform to the best of his ability rather than a bloke who is supremely talented but doesn't put in the hard yards.

You just need to look at his brother. Early on in Gary's career he just did the bare minimum and was just a good player. During the review in 2006, he was told if he extracted the digit and did more work on the track, he'd be a superstar, and here we are, 3 AFLPA and AFLCA MVP awards and 1 Brownlow Medal later.

Full credit to the Gold Coast if they get Nathan to extract the digit and actually apply himself, but I won't hold my breath waiting for it.

Could not agree more

 

[pinion]

I understood the qualification to be 10 years at a club, so he could qualify at 28?

that's what i thought until someone set me straight.

http://www.afldraftinfo.com/2009/05/trading-and-list-management.html

Veterans List

A player may be put on the veterans list if they are over the age of 30 and have played for 10 seasons at the club. A club may list upto 2 veterans – any additional nominated veterans will remain on the main list. When a player is moved to the veterans list he can’t be returned to the main list unless he is delisted and re-drafted by the club.

Nominated veterans (both on the main and veterans list) allow clubs salary cap relief to the amount of:

1 nominated veterans – 50% reduction each
2 nominated veterans - 50% reduction each
3 nominated veterans - 33% reduction each
4 nominated veterans – 25% reduction each
etc.

 

[MC Extra Dollop]

In 2007 he played almost (maybe all) games and didn't finish in the top 10 (or was it 13) in the B&F. That's how the match committee measured his contribution.

In a year where we had 9 AAs, as well as Harley, Chapman, Enright, Ottens and Selwood missing out.

Now on the Gary Ablett saga....i think it is now time to make him captain. He has said time and again he wants to captain the cats, lets give it to him, see what he makes of it or at least use it as a tool to keep him in geelong where he should stay. I feel sorry for lingy coz he would make a great captain, but i only see a few more years in him due to his age and speed, but gaz can be our captain for the next 5-6 years before handing over to Selwood.

I see the leadership group for next year as: G.Ablett (C), J.Selwood (VC), C.Ling (VC), J.Bartel, J.Corey, C.Enright.

Just my opinion, but Gaz deciding he'd rather not be at the game, when he was injured, shows that he should never be the captain of the Geelong Football Club. Captains don't do that. I've got no problem with it, but, to me, it just shows that he hasn't got a captain's mindset. F*** dangling a captaincy carrot at Gaz. If he wants to go, well, it sucks...but, he was the main man on (at least) two Cats' premiership teams. I will never hate Gary Ablett. Or Nathan, for that matter. Good luck to him.