2010 Brownlow Player Preview: Gary Ablett

Name: Gary Ablett
Club: Geelong
2009 Brownlow Performance: 2009 Brownlow Medallist
Total Votes: 30
Total Votes Breakdown, 3 2 1:
8, 1, 4
Predicted 2010 Brownlow Finish: 1-2
Brownlow Odds: $6 Favourite. (Courtesy of TAB)

Not much wrong can be said about little Gazza leading into Season 2010. He finally acquired the medal that for so long evaded him, and was by far the best player of 2009, but the question is, can he go back to back? Quite simply, yes.

Pros:

The little baldnut tore nearly every opposition team to shreds throughout the season, but what is most striking about his season last year was his start to the year. In the first 5 rounds he received 3, 2, 1, 3, 3, for a total of 12 votes! That means he scored 40% of his total votes in the first 5 rounds of the season! Graaaaavy. It was these early games that set him up for the win quite early on, and the massive vote margin that it created between himself and those that trailed him meant other players could do very little to try and make up ground later on in the count. Furthermore, the 6 votes he received in the last 3 games were really the icing on the cake, and that which put the win beyond doubt.

Not much more can be said apart from the fact the man is a FREAK. Also note how he had the most 3 vote games out of any player (8, in front of Hayes with 6). To put it simply: when he turns it on, he turns on the umpires. If he has a pearler first few games, akin to that of last year, all I can say is get on the YAAAABBLETT train because it’s going to be one hell of a smooth ride.

Cons:

There is very little criticism that you can say about Ablett, but I’ll try and find a couple of decent points in an attempt to provide you with some neutral perspective.

Hmmm… let me see… oh, yeah, injuries. Keep a close eye on any niggling injuries that may hamper him throughout the season. When he did his groin last year (…or is it when Lauren Phillips did it; lucky bastard he is…) there was intense talk last year of the possibility that the injury may again derail his Brownlow chances like in 2008 - when he was the hot favourite to take it out. Luckily he had an awesome start and finish to the season to really consolidate his Brownlow win. Alas, injuries are one of the few factors that may determine whether he goes back to back in 2010.