Nathan Ablett Retires

[Wedgie]

Won a premiership so he's had enough!

[Hondo]

He's only 21 years old - read the article on AFL.com and you'd think he was 28 needing a break all of a sudden

[rod_rooster]

Hmmmm......... that's a strange one

[Wedgie]

Hmmmm......... that's a strange one

The news or Nathan?

Must admit doesn't surprise me in the slightest having followed what Nathan's like.

[rod_rooster]

Hmmmm......... that's a strange one

The news or Nathan?

Both

In all seriousness he has never really seemed all that at ease with his football career.

[am Bays]

Where does that leave Geelong as this has occured after the third and final list lodgement. So from my limited understanding if his "temporary break from the pressures of footy - afl.com.au" becomes a permanent one, Geelong will be forced to carry him on their list for next year, in effect a player down....

Mind you given how they played this year shouldn't really be too much of a problem....

[Dutchy]

Mind you given how they played this year shouldn't really be too much of a problem....

and should he change his mind he wont have to do a Gehrig!

[Hondo]

Goes to show how quickly things can change even for the Premiership team

N Ablett possibly leaving won't trigger a slide I know but this is on top of a couple of players leaving due to salary cap (which also won't trigger a slide I know)

The modern AFL system just doesn't lend itself to extended eras on top its so hard to keep your squad together

Before anyone jumps me the Cats are still my premiership tip for 2008

[NFC]

I bet they wish they had Grima back.

[magpie in the 80's]

heard on the late news
he can't cope with the demands of AFL football.
he has been given TEMPORARY leave.
geelong HOPING he will return in 2008

[Mr66]

heard on the late news
he can't cope with the demands of AFL football.

Poor Baby.
WWWWAAAAAHHHHHHH!
I want mummy!!!!!!

[Pup]

What a joke.

Does not surprise me one bit. I will be very surprised if he does not change his mind within 2-3 months. Miss the hardest bit of Pre Season then come back, start in the VFL and come back in because of his name. If he does not come back then Geelong have every right to be very very upset with him. They have had to cut players like Grima who have potential and actually want to play AFL football and then you have a bloke who should never have been drafted from where he was playing anyway (even though he has great potential). and who seems like he could not give a stuff where he plays whether it be Geelong in the seniors or in the bush in the seconds.

Interesting to see what happens.

[mighty_tiger_79]

major shock

didnt see it happening

but in reflection he was very hesitant about playing AFL in the first place.

no doubt got the talent.

PUP - why do you say that he should never have got drafted from where he was playing????????? there are a few players that are drafted from obscurity.

[Pup]

He was not even playing seniors out there.. I just feel sorry for these kids busting their arse for the Falcons and then the club picks a bloke who cant handle the spotlight, Didnt play one game because the media was there. I have no doubt he is talented enough to play AFL footy but is his mind right? IMO No. Hopefully Gary Jnr can talk to him about handling these pressures.

On a side note, i dont think he has actually retired yet, he is just having some time away from the club. It may be a similar position to Rhan Hooper last year for Brisbane.

[sydney-dog]

N Ablett seems like a very private person, he has never looked totally comfortable with the attention that comes with playing at AFL level and being the Son of G Ablett snr....

I wish the Lad all the health and happiness

[MatteeG]

...must be considering the $50 bar voucher a week offered by the mighty bushpigs! Go Yaaaablett!

[Blue Boy]

A young fella by the name of Hawkins will be straight in the side - I actually rekon that makes the cats stronger IMO !!!

[stan]

A young fella by the name of Hawkins will be straight in the side - I actually rekon that makes the cats stronger IMO !!!

Hawkins will benifit from this now. As you said, hes probably straight in. In some instances I thought N.ABblet was lucky to be in the side at times.

[NFC]

A young fella by the name of Hawkins will be straight in the side - I actually rekon that makes the cats stronger IMO !!!

Hawkins will benifit from this now. As you said, hes probably straight in. In some instances I thought N.ABblet was lucky to be in the side at times.

No doubt, he found some form late in the season but for a while there he was only getting a game because of his name.

[Mr66]

"I'm struggling with the pressures of AFL football" is Ablett's latest quote.
Let's hope he doesn't struggle with getting real job on $35K a year.