Nathan Ablett (born 13 October 1985) is a former professional Australian rules footballer who played for the Geelong Football Club and the Gold Coast Suns in the Australian Football League (AFL). He is the younger brother of two-time Brownlow Medallist Gary Ablett Jr. and the son of Australian Football Hall of Fame legend Gary Ablett Sr.
Early Life and Junior Career Ablett grew up in Modewarre, Victoria, and played junior football for the Modewarre Football Club. Despite his prodigious footballing lineage, Nathan's path to the AFL was somewhat different from his father and brother, both of whom were immediate stars. Nathan was drafted by Geelong as a father-son selection (due to Gary Ablett Sr.'s extensive career with the club) with the 48th overall pick in the 2004 AFL National Draft.
AFL Career
Geelong Football Club (2005–2007) Ablett made his senior debut for Geelong in Round 1, 2005. Primarily playing as a key forward, he showed glimpses of his potential, possessing strong marking ability and an accurate kick. His career with Geelong was marked by a constant struggle with motivation and the intense public and media scrutiny that came with his famous surname.
The pinnacle of his career came in 2007, when he was a crucial member of Geelong's premiership-winning team. He played in the 2007 AFL Grand Final against Port Adelaide, where Geelong recorded a record-breaking 119-point victory. Despite this success, Ablett's passion for the sport wavered, and he announced his retirement from AFL football at the end of the 2007 season at just 22 years old, citing a lack of desire to continue playing at the elite level.
Gold Coast Suns (2011) After spending a few years away from the AFL, Ablett made a surprising return to the sport in 2010, signing with the Gold Coast Suns, an expansion club preparing for its inaugural AFL season in 2011. This move reunited him with his brother, Gary Ablett Jr., who had controversially moved from Geelong to become the Suns' inaugural captain.
Nathan played nine games for the Gold Coast Suns in 2011, kicking four goals. However, his second stint in the AFL was short-lived. He again struggled with the demands of professional football and announced his second retirement at the end of the 2011 season, again citing a lack of desire and enjoyment for the game.
Post-AFL Career Following his retirement from the AFL, Ablett returned to playing football at a local level. He has played for various clubs in regional leagues, including Modewarre in the Bellarine Football League, where he has been a prominent player. He has largely maintained a private life away from the intense spotlight of the AFL.
Playing Style Nathan Ablett was primarily a key forward, known for his strong aerial ability, reliable hands, and accurate kicking for goal. He possessed the physical attributes to be a dominant player but ultimately lacked the sustained motivation and mental fortitude required for a long AFL career.
Personal Life and Legacy Nathan Ablett is part of one of Australian football's most celebrated families. His father, Gary Ablett Sr., is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, and his brother, Gary Ablett Jr., achieved similar legendary status. Nathan's career, while shorter and less decorated than his famous relatives, is notable for his participation in a premiership team and his unique journey in and out of the elite level of the sport. His struggles with the pressure and demands of professional football have also highlighted the mental health challenges that can affect athletes, even those from celebrated sporting families.