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.<\/p>\n
The Warriors have taken the first step, lodging the paperwork needed to make Ablett eligible to play this season.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u2018He was open to the opportunity, and we\u2019ve lodged the transfer just in case he can get on the park for us this year,\u201d Morter said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve got nothing set in stone, but there\u2019s definitely a chance he will play for us.\u201d<\/p>\n
The biggest question mark is a finger injury Ablett recently sustained.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019ll depend on how serious that comes through as well as his work commitments,\u201d Morter said.<\/p>\n
Ablett’s decorated 357-game AFL career included two Brownlow Medals, two premierships, eight All-Australian selections and five AFL Players Association MVP awards.<\/p>\n
Since retiring at the end of the 2020 season, he has made only a handful of one-off appearances in community football.<\/p>\n
Morter said Ablett’s return would be a major occasion for the club and the Bellarine league.<\/p>\n
\u201cHaving someone of that calibre come down would be just incredible,” Morter said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe boost around the club would be insane; the crowd would be huge.<\/p>\n
\u201cFingers crossed it all works out, and if it does happen, hopefully we get a great day of weather for it.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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 […]<\/p>\n