Almanac Footy: Vale Geoff Ablett – a great player in his own right
A GREAT PLAYER IN HIS OWN RGHT
The death of Geoff Ablett through the insidious MND has closed a chapter on a former Hawthorn champion.
He was a champion player but unfortunately he and his brother Kevin lived under the shadow of one of the masters of the game, brother Gary Senior.
Different from the other Ablett brothers Len, Graeme, Kevin and Gary he pursued a teaching career as well as being the ‘fastest man in football’ during his day.
I have known Geoff since he was a schoolboy champion athlete and an outstanding footballer with Drouin Under age teams in the West Gippsland Football League. Geoff, a trained primary physical education teacher, taught my children at the Pakenham Consolidated school and of course, was a hero to all the kids.
Geoff was one of the key players in the Hawthorn premiership years with his speed on the wing and his prodigious kicking with both aspects of his game leaving his opponents in his wake. If they took this new ‘absurdity’ of metres gained in his day Ablett would have, on many occasions, knocked up 1000 points, or whatever.
He had short stints at Richmond and St.Kilda after his great career at Hawthorn and then went coaching in the bush. Moe and Beaconsfield come to mind with limited success. He then played with Lang Lang where brother Kevin was playing-coach and all the Ablett’s bar Gary played in the Grand Final that they lost to Pakenham.
He bred race-horses in later life and also turned to local government where he became Mayor in the Shire of Casey. He also stood for State Government but failed to win a seat.
The latter part of his life was spent in local community radio where he was a great success, particularly when it came to sport and talking horses.
He was more than just an outstanding footballer and gave a lot back to the community.
For the record he played 202 games with Hawthorn (1973-1986) 135 goals, Richmond (1983-84) 16 games, 12 goals and St.Kilda (1985) 11 games and 6 goals. He was a member of Hawthorn’s 1976 and 78 premiership teams and played one game for Victoria B against Queensland.
Nephews Gary Jnr, Nathan, Luke and Shane and Travis Tuck all played league football as did his uncle Len for Richmond. An outstanding contribution to the great game.
He also won the Grand Final sprint on four occassions which has not been bettered.
More stories from Citrus Bob Utber can be read Here.
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At 86 years of age Citrus Bob is doing what he has always done since growing up on a small farm at Lang Lang. Talking, watching and writing sport and in recent years writing books. He lives in Mildura with his very considerate wife (Jenny) and a groodle named ‘Chloe on Flinders’ and can be found at Deakin 27 every day.
Very sad Bob. The Beast got him quickly.
Thanks for the reflection.
Thanks Bob.
I reckon Geoff Ablett studied Education under David Parkin.
Apart from his exploits which appeared on The Winners Up North, I think I remember him from the Grand Final sprint – on the few occasions Hawthorn weren’t in it.
VALE Geoff Ablett Great Hawk You were always know as “Race Horse ” R.I.P.
One Eyed Hawk Supporter
Geoff stands as one of our best at the Hawthorn Football Club. I was fortunate to have time with Geoff when working at the Hawthorn Football Club in the video department during 1977 and 1978.and he was a great bloke. Also, had a couple of days at the Pakenham races with Geoff which produced plenty of laughs and good times. Vale Geoff Ablett – a great Hawthorn footballer and terrific person.
Nice tribute Bob. Good player.
DIPS it is such a ghastly thing. How would have he gone at Stawell?
JTH Still working on where Geoff went to College!
GARRY Glad you have used the word “great”. Remember that was a great period for the Mayblooms and he was great setting up goals from 80 metres away
RICHARD Don’t think GA ever missed a meeting at Pakenham and I reckon that’s where he got his love for the Gg’s
BARRY Thanks Baz. He was more than a good player though.
A fine tribute, Citrus Bob. RIP Geoff. Replays of the ’76 and ’78 Grand Finals show he was a bloody good player. But just a bit before my time. Like JTH, my memories of Geoff Ablett are of those Grand Finals sprints. I recall him winning in ’81 (the saddest day of my life) and the commentators stating that it was his third win in succession.
I played my second game of under 16 cricket for Nilma against Drouin where Geoff Ablett made 62. Obviously, an all round highly talented sportsman, I enjoyed watching him play footy where he was an integral part of Hawthorn’s team. My brother had a close association with Geoff on Casey Radio and had great respect for his integrity and drive to improve the community he lived in. Sorry to hear he has passed away.
Thanks Bobby – a man who was interested in people. I shared many chats after meeting him at Radio Casey when I delivered the West Gippsland Cricket Show. . He was a professional broadcaster who worked with Michael Tuck- a great combination. Also via his time as a councillor.
Rob Hansen
DAMO – 4 Grand Final sprints won by the country mile. Would have been a great contest between Geoff and Paddo!
GEORGE & ROB – Community radio at Casey was great for sporting people particularly with Geoff’s involvement. Do you have a brother Henry George?
ROB HANSEN was/is an outstanding administrator in cricket. Lousy bowler!
HOW MCH TO PEOPLE IN THE BUSH RELY ON COMMUNITY RAIO PARTICULARLY IN THESE TROUBLED TIMES?
Great tribute Citrus for one of the Hawks great 70s players.
I was born in Drouin, and lived across the road from the Abletts until I was 6 and the family moved to Perth. Growing up a long way away from the VFL dad would mention Geoff and the Ablett family. This become something of family folklore until decades later (and sadly after dad had passed) I met Geoff and asked him if he remembered our family. Without pausing he replied, sure, your mum had beautiful blonde hair and your dad had that cement truck, we would watch in awe as he backed it up his driveway. That small detail left a fair lump in the throat remembering my old man.
I loved how Geoff played, built like a back flanker, beautiful kick, his role is still how Hawks play today, using wingers as key routes to goal, Geoff was integral to Hawks success for a decade. And yes even though Gary was a sublime footy player (and Kevin might have been if but for even better) I was a bit put off how by the 90s Geoff had been somewhat forgotten in footy’s narrative.
Lastly, Luke Ablett, might have been at a Footy Almanac lunch, when asked about the legendary Ablett/Tuck dynasty, at family gatherings said his dad and uncles were as focused in backyard cricket and kick to kick as they were on the MCG. While we all laughed at his story, I’m sure every single one of us was picturing being at just one Ablett/Tuck bbq.
Vale Geoff xx
Great tribute CB. to a great talent.. Thank you.
I have vivid memories of Geoff, his speed & exploits.
Whilst looking at your photo of West Gippsland Football League Under 17- 1971
I also recognised Colin Bransgrove who came from Pakenham.
He was my PE teacher at Pakenham Consolidated School. Many fond memories and that heaps of kids converted to support the Hawks because of Geoff. RIP.
RICK KANE – those Ablett/Tuck events wll go down in history if only some one would write about them. Apparently when M.Tuck and Geoffrey A had lunch together lunch would last for hours as they contemplated the replays of Hawthorn Games. Great reminisce.
JOHN – CORRECT! Colin Bransgrove – now known as “Clancy of The Overfow”. You will find him in The High Country I am pretty sure.
DARREN – wonder just how many kids he converted to the Hawks while teaching at Pakenham. Do I know you very well? I think I might. Just wonderful how old names connect at the Footy Almanac. Thanks again JTH and “The daff”