Gary Ablett Junior: The Return of Our Son

News is spreading like wildfire, from mouth to mouth, ear to ear as smiles of G-Town home-growns widen and tears well in eyes.

 

Over crackling radios the echoing voice of radio officials chatter, assume and predict.

 

The rest of us are the mere hopefuls.

 

It has been 7 years since we last saw Junior pull on the Blue and White hoops.

 

My headphones are connected to the live talk, hoping, waiting, praying.

 

My eyes are drawn to my Accounting work, but my mind traces over memories of years gone by, of me and Ablett and the whole Geelong community.

 

My mind takes me back to his Geelong days.

 

The boundary goal in Round 5, 2009, where every moment of that glory was lived with him.

 

His 2007 Grand Final intercept that resulted in one of the sweetest goals of redemption.

 

The 2009 Brownlow medal win, to go along with his ‘Carji’ Greeves Best and Fairest and a premiership medal.

 

The countless goals, breaks and run-ons.

 

His fearlessness and ferociousness. The Gary Ablett way.

 

I am brought back to reality with the good news.

 

The artificial blue and white lights on the Moorabool Street corner billboard shine throughout the whole city, our city.

 

‘The Return’ the white letters read, backed with a shiny bald head of our son.

 

He is home once more.

About Anna Pavlou

Anna 'Pav' Pavlou is a current student and a born and bred Melburnian who has a passion for sport and sharing people's stories. She is an intern journalist for AFL VICTORIA and writes for The Roar, the Victorian Amateur Football Association (VAFA Media), the Mongrel Punt and is a Melbourne Cricket Club contributor. She also appears on North West FM 98.9 radio show. Most winter weekends you'll find her down at the Ross Gregory Oval in St Kilda, supporting Power House FC, who play in Division 2 in the VAFA. She works as the Division 2 writer for the VAFA. She completed work experience with 3AW Radio and has been published in The Age as well as with Carlton FC and Geelong Cats. Check out her website below for more sport pieces!

Comments

  1. Anna as a kid I always struggled with the message in the parable of the prodigal son. As a father I came to understand it. Now as an Ablett fan it makes enormous sense. Kill the fatted calf!!

    I wasn’t sure that Geelong should be chasing an old Ablett, but when I heard of his return my heart stirred!

  2. Amazing article! Can’t wait for season 2018, I think it’s going to be one that will never be forgotten.

  3. Pamela Sherpa says

    I hope Ablett and Geelong fans have an enjoyable year . Home is where the heart is .

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