An emotional Gary Ablett jnr has paid tribute to his famous father, Gary snr, who he says “never pressured me into football”, and also thanked his two AFL clubs – Geelong and Gold Coast, where he played 357 games over nearly two decades.
Inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame at the first opportunity, Ablett jnr said he would never have achieved what he was able to do without the support of his family, in particular Gary snr.
“I’m grateful for how you’ve never pressured me into football, encouraging me to give everything a go and telling me you’ll always love me for who I am, not for what I do,” Ablett said in his acceptance speech on stage at the Palladium at Crown.
“I do want to thank the Geelong Football Club for giving me the opportunity to live my dream as a 17-year-old,” he said, before adding, fighting back tears: “I also want to thank the Gold Coast Football Club – moving clubs and states was one of the most difficult decisions I’ve had to make.
“I’m thankful for the responsibility that was entrusted in me to the inaugural [Suns] captain, leading the boys on and off the field each week.
“Those seven years on the Gold Coast and at the football club will always be cherished memories of mine.”
Ablett jnr choked up at times as he made special mention of his family. His mother Sue and brother (and 2007 Geelong premiership teammate) Nathan were in the room. Gary snr wasn’t in attendance.
“To my mum, Sue, who is here tonight … I hate to know how many hours you spent in the car driving us four kids to our sporting commitments… you’ve always served our family so selflessly. And now you still do. I love you and appreciate you more than you’ll ever know,” he said.
“Dad, who can’t be here tonight, but I’m sure he’s watching it on TV – I can still remember being a kid watching you play football, thinking ‘when I grow up, I want to be just like you’.
“... To see how you went about your career, the competitor you are, which clearly age hasn’t hindered. Even rock, paper, scissors takes a good 40 minutes with you.
“I’m grateful for [you] encouraging me to give everything a go and telling me you’ll always love me for who I am, not for what I do.
“Those words meant a lot to me, and I now speak them over my own children. Thanks for being the dad you’ve always been. I love you.”
Ablett jnr also had a special mention for his wife Jordan.
“I just love doing life with you,” he said.
“Like everyone we experience the highs and lows. But what I love is how we embrace them as a team. Thank you for your endless support and encouragement.
“Thank you to the wife that you are, and the mum that you are to our three beautiful children – how blessed we are to have you.
“Lastly I want to thank my Lord and savour, Jesus Christ. Not only for what you’ve done for me, but who you are.
“You’ve given my life true meaning and purpose, and I’m grateful for your goodness, faithfulness and presence in life.”