Cats legend to auction premiership guernsey for charity

A PIECE of footy history is going under the hammer next month, with all proceeds going to charity.

Legendary Geelong Cats and Gold Coast Suns AFL player Gary Ablett Jr is auctioning his 2009 match-worn AFL premiership guernsey, and the Lloyds auction – for the benefit of Compassion Australia – is expected to break records.

The #29 Cats guernsey has not been washed since the Grand Final Day match against the Saints more than 10 years ago, and is expected to attract thousands of bidders around the country.

For a player considered by many to be the greatest of all time, this jumper holds additional value, as 2009 marks the season Ablett Jr was awarded his first Brownlow medal, joining an elite group of players to win a Brownlow medal in a premiership-winning year.

“I am honoured to be working with Lloyds Auctions in supporting such a worthy cause in auctioning my 2009 AFL premiership guernsey and pass it down to a new custodian to enjoy,” Ablett Jr said.

“I also look forward to the experiences we have on offer for people to purchase as part of raising funds for Compassion Australia’s Mums and Babies appeal.”

Lloyds Auctions is conducting the auction on July 9.

“We were humbled to get the call to support Gary Ablett Jnr on his journey to raise awareness and funds towards Compassion Australia the Mums & Babies Appeal in what is an incredible and memorable donation on his behalf,” Lloyds Auctions chief operations officer Lee Hames said.

“This is arguably the most prized premiership-winning jumper ever to be put up for auction and we expect the phones to be ringing off the hook from footy fans right around the country regardless of the club they follow.”

The auction also includes the chance to have lunch with Ablett Jr or an exclusive kick-to-kick experience with the aim to raise as many funds as possible for Compassion Australia.

In recent years, Ablett Jr launched charity foundation Compassion Australia to raise funds for international aid to help the world’s most disadvantaged children.

For mums and babies living in poverty, the first year of a child’s life is critical for survival. Close to 2.5 million children die within their first month of life, mostly from preventable causes.

Upon learning this, Ablett Jr vowed to make a difference, and chose to use the platform he had been given for change.

The 2009 premiership guernsey and exclusive experiences will go under the hammer on July 9 from 5pm at lloydsonline.com.au