‘Words can’t explain how much this will mean’: Ablett coup for LVFNL Maroons

HE made his mark as one of the AFL’s all-time greats in navy blue and white hoops, but Newbridge is hoping Gary Ablett Jr can create a little bit more of his magic in maroon and white next month.

The dual Brownlow medallist and two-time Cats premiership player will make a one-off appearance for the Loddon Valley Football Netball League Maroons next month after he was their selection in this year’s edition of the popular Carlton Draft.

Given the choice of Ablett and his former Cats teammate Gary Rohan, the Maroons did not hesitate in taking the eight-time All-Australian with its pick last Thursday night, paving the way for him to line-up for the Maroons in their 20 June clash against Bridgewater.

That left Rohan, who played alongside Ablett in his second stint with the Cats in 2019-20, to be selected by Bridgewater, with the pair to go head-to-head when the Maroons and Mean Machine clash at Riverside Park.

Now in its fifth year, the Carlton Draft gives registered senior men’s footy teams a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to recruit former AFL icons for a one-off match.

In line with this year’s theme, rivalry, each club will face their major rival with one player drafted to each side.

Grateful to be part of this year’s Draft line-up, Ablett is looking forward to donning Newbridge’s iconic maroon and white against long-time fierce rivals Bridgewater.

“Draft night has been heaps of fun, highlighted by the excitement shared by the six participating clubs,” the now 41-year-old said.

“Knowing how much this means to them, and to their local communities is what The Carlton Draft is all about.

“I can’t wait to get out there, meet my new teammates and hopefully notch up a victory for Newbridge.

“Above all, I hope that we can bring the communities together for truly special match day; one that the clubs will remember for a long time to come.”

Newbridge Football Netball Club treasurer Chris Dixon said the Maroons were truly honoured to participate in this year’s Carlton Draft and was expecting the football club and town to be buzzing next month.

 

“The opportunity for the club to be in the room with some of the AFL’s greatest names for a day is incredible,” he said of the Maroons’ draft night experience.

“It’s been a tough few years at Newbridge since we won our last senior flag.

“We’ve survived two floods and haven’t seen a lot of success on field but our fighting spirit only grows each year.

“Words can’t explain how much this will mean for our club, from the players, staff, volunteers, and supporters.

“The excitement, morale and fundraising that this game will generate for our community will have an everlasting impact.”

It’s not the first time a Bendigo region team has participated in the Carlton Draft.

In 2024, BFNL club Castlemaine was bolstered by the inclusion of two-time All-Australian Leigh Montagna.

Sadly, his appearance was cut short after just one minute when he injured his quad during his first kick in the match against Kangaroo Flat.

Earlier in the year, three-time AFLW premiership star Erin Phillips took to the field for Marong’s CVFL senior women’s team.

In 2022, Richmond premiership defender Alex Rance laced up the boots for Maryborough-Castlemaine District league club Campbells Creek in a loss against Maldon.

Ablett, who played the last of his 345 AFL games in the Cats’ 31-point grand final loss to Richmond in 2020, is the biggest name yet to have signed on for the Carlton Draft.

Past instalments have featured fellow Brownlow medallists Trent Cotchin and Nathan Buckley, Matthew Pavlich, Brendon Goddard, Brett Deledio, David Mundy, Eddie Betts, Kane Cornes and Tom Hawkins.

Ablett won his two Brownlow Medals with different clubs; Geelong in 2009 and Gold Coast Suns in 2013.

In other draft night news, West Coast’s all-time leading goalkicker Josh Kennedy was drafted to Denmark Walpole from the Great Southern Football League in Western Australia.

His 2018 premiership teammate Lewis Jetta will line-up for their game day opponents Royals.

Former Essendon captain Dyson Heppell was picked by Tamworth Kangaroos from AFL North West NSW.

The rival Swans secured the services of triple premiership Hawk Josh Gibson.

Carlton-Asahi Beverages marketing manager Jessica Johnson said the popularity of the Draft showed no signs of waning.

“We received over 160 entries from across Victoria, New South Wales and Western Australia, with so many compelling stories among them,” she said.

“We were blown away with the response, and we are excited by the opportunity to support these six amazing clubs and their communities.

“Carlton Draught has a long history of supporting grassroots footy and the Carlton Draft continues this tradition.”