Will this AFL great lace up for Modewarre?

Gary Ablett Jr could be set for a surprise return to local football, with his junior club Modewarre hopeful the AFL great will pull on the Warriors jumper once again.

The Warriors have taken the first step, lodging the paperwork needed to make Ablett eligible to play this season.

Club president Dan Morter said on Wednesday the possibility had been discussed for several weeks, with Ablett open to making a one-off appearance if his fitness and work commitments allowed.

‘He was open to the opportunity, and we’ve lodged the transfer just in case he can get on the park for us this year,” Morter said.

“We’ve got nothing set in stone, but there’s definitely a chance he will play for us.”

The biggest question mark is a finger injury Ablett recently sustained.

“It’ll depend on how serious that comes through as well as his work commitments,” Morter said.

Ablett’s decorated 357-game AFL career included two Brownlow Medals, two premierships, eight All-Australian selections and five AFL Players Association MVP awards.

Since retiring at the end of the 2020 season, he has made only a handful of one-off appearances in community football.

Morter said Ablett’s return would be a major occasion for the club and the Bellarine league.

“Having someone of that calibre come down would be just incredible,” Morter said.

“The boost around the club would be insane; the crowd would be huge.

“Fingers crossed it all works out, and if it does happen, hopefully we get a great day of weather for it.”