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Gary Ablett Jnr is a superior footballer to his father Ablett Snr: Malcolm Blight
Gary Ablett Jnr is a superior footballer to his father Ablett Snr: Malcolm Blight
Malcolm Blight says Gary Ablett Jr is now a better player than his legendary father, but Gazza Jr says Dad is still his No.1.
Blight is well placed to judge one of football's most contentious questions. He coached Ablett Sr at Geelong from 1989-94, taking the Cats to Grand Finals in 1989, '92 and '94, and is now director of football at the Suns.
Blight said he would have nominated Ablett Sr if asked to choose between the pair before this season. But in moving to the Suns, Blight said Ablett Jr had proved he could do more than his famous father.
"He is a complete footballer," Blight said yesterday. "He is not an outside player or a finisher, he wins his own footy, he defends and he can go forward and be a goalkicker.
"It isn't personal, but Gary Sr wasn't the best player because he played . . . forward, which was all he did."
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Massive, massive call from a man who's seen both men up close.
Gary Senior is regarded as one of the best the game has ever seen. Some go one further and say he is the best.
I've seen a fair bit of both, and I'm leaning towards Gary Junior. He's versatile, wins his own ball and is a great leader.
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Re: Gary Ablett Jnr is a superior footballer to his father Ablett Snr: Malcolm Blight
I had a chat about this to a few guys at work today and I think Junior still has a bit more to prove than his father.
Two of them are Cats supporters and they were leaning towards Gary senior as well.
Very close though
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Re: Gary Ablett Jnr is a superior footballer to his father Ablett Snr: Malcolm Blight
This is so wrong IMO. Having a father who's a Geelong supporter, I've been most Dogs/Cats games over the last 30 years and Gary senior is easily the best player I have seen while I wouldn't have Gary Jnr in the top five.
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Re: Gary Ablett Jnr is a superior footballer to his father Ablett Snr: Malcolm Blight
Quote:
Originally Posted by
chef
This is so wrong IMO. Having a father who's a Geelong supporter, I've been most Dogs/Cats games over the last 30 years and Gary senior is easily the best player I have seen while I wouldn't have Gary Jnr in the top five.
Will Garry Senior be working for the suns?
I can think of a few blokes who can do what Jnr does.
I can't think of anyone who did the freakish things Snr did.
But if you include all the leadership stuff, sure, you would go for jnr.
Anyway, of course, Blight is going to say that as he's on the board at the Suns.
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Re: Gary Ablett Jnr is a superior footballer to his father Ablett Snr: Malcolm Blight
Its a huge call. Gary Senior was an absolute freak. Fast, skillful, could take pack marks - and could absolutely smash blokes with a hip and shoulder (which obviously you can no longer do!).
Hard to compare as they are quite different - but Gary Senior is probably the best player I've seen, whereas Junior is one of the best midfielders I've seen.
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Re: Gary Ablett Jnr is a superior footballer to his father Ablett Snr: Malcolm Blight
I think one of them won a couple of premierships too. Not that it's the most important thing, but when they are that close, this probably counts a bit -- Snr played in pretty good teams but probably didn't become enough of a team man to lift others when necessary, preferring to perform heroics himself. Jnr tended to bring others into the game with his distribution. Snr is Michael Jordan 1985-1991, a freak who would score 60+ points regularly but never made his teammates good enough to win the big one. Jnr is Jordan mid-late 90s, a guy who became the premier point guard in the NBA and a key to the triangle offence, setting up key baskets for other guys (Kerr etc.) to win crucial finals games.
So Snr is a probably the better footballer, Jnr the more valuable one. IMO of course.
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Re: Gary Ablett Jnr is a superior footballer to his father Ablett Snr: Malcolm Blight
Very different people, players and personalities.
I would probably say Jr is better option for a team / leader environment, Where as comparing the two as individual players, Snr would be out in front.
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Re: Gary Ablett Jnr is a superior footballer to his father Ablett Snr: Malcolm Blight
Should have waited a bit longer and then just said I agree with Lantern. We must have been writing at the same time.
Couldn't have said it better myself.
Dunno if Jacksons triangle offence would compare to Thompsons style of coaching though? Using the Jordan analogy, he basically learnt to win, would you say Ablett SNR never learnt to win or just didn't have the teams that Jr had????
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Re: Gary Ablett Jnr is a superior footballer to his father Ablett Snr: Malcolm Blight
Quote:
Originally Posted by
HairyMidget
Should have waited a bit longer and then just said I agree with Lantern. We must have been writing at the same time.
Couldn't have said it better myself.
Dunno if Jacksons triangle offence would compare to Thompsons style of coaching though? Using the Jordan analogy, he basically learnt to win, would you say Ablett SNR never learnt to win or just didn't have the teams that Jr had????
I'd argue that Senior had the teams as far as quality of teammates goes. You don't make 4 Grand Finals in 7 seasons without having some quality to your name. It simply didn't translate to the ultimate success as whoever they came up against was just better on the big day. You'd sit there forever if you tried to analyse why they were never able to break through for a flag in those years.
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Re: Gary Ablett Jnr is a superior footballer to his father Ablett Snr: Malcolm Blight
Senior is more of a freak than junior
Although Jnr is more consistent, I'd go with Snr
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Re: Gary Ablett Jnr is a superior footballer to his father Ablett Snr: Malcolm Blight
Senior for mine.. such a freak
Is Jobe in time be better than Timmy? Shoot me down but might be right
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Re: Gary Ablett Jnr is a superior footballer to his father Ablett Snr: Malcolm Blight
Senior. By a MILE.
Little ablett is an incredible player who is consistent and reliable and may in the long term be considered a better 'asset' to a team.
But Gazza was just off the richter scale.
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Re: Gary Ablett Jnr is a superior footballer to his father Ablett Snr: Malcolm Blight
Quote:
Originally Posted by
hughy31
Senior for mine.. such a freak
Is Jobe in time be better than Timmy? Shoot me down but might be right
Heading for the gun rack now............
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Re: Gary Ablett Jnr is a superior footballer to his father Ablett Snr: Malcolm Blight
Senior is better but Junior has a long career in front of him to prove otherwise
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Re: Gary Ablett Jnr is a superior footballer to his father Ablett Snr: Malcolm Blight
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Dancin' Douggy
Heading for the gun rack now............
Better wait on that
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Re: Gary Ablett Jnr is a superior footballer to his father Ablett Snr: Malcolm Blight
Quote:
Originally Posted by
hughy31
Better wait on that
Why? because Jobe won an umpires award?
I'd still take Watson Snr over Jnr any day of the week.
As for Ablett Snr over Jnr.... yep just on pure football freakish ability.
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Re: Gary Ablett Jnr is a superior footballer to his father Ablett Snr: Malcolm Blight
I think Jnr is one of the best midfielders I have ever seen, the kid is a freak.
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Re: Gary Ablett Jnr is a superior footballer to his father Ablett Snr: Malcolm Blight
Either would have been great in a Doggies jumper.
Ablett Snr was more of a match winner and a lot of the x-factor but he certainatly wouldn't hold up under todays professionalism,
Ablett jnr seems to be a better leader and plays a more consistant brand of footy.
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Re: Gary Ablett Jnr is a superior footballer to his father Ablett Snr: Malcolm Blight
I know which highlights package would be more exciting to watch, seniors!
Perhaps my reasoning is due to the fact I have a copy on DVD of Seniors 1993 season where he kicked 124 goals for memory.
It's great to bring out at a party and having it playing in the background whilst playing pool or having a chat.
I wish I could replace it with a DVD of a bulldogs premiership.
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Re: Gary Ablett Jnr is a superior footballer to his father Ablett Snr: Malcolm Blight
Having a Geelong supporting dad I got to see both play a heap. I would have Senior in front as the better player. His 89 final series was pretty phenomenal.
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Re: Gary Ablett Jnr is a superior footballer to his father Ablett Snr: Malcolm Blight
If your looking for a player to drag you over the line week in week out with his all game input and hardworking it's junior.
If your looking for a player to do incredibly freakish things to get you through a game it's senior.
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Re: Gary Ablett Jnr is a superior footballer to his father Ablett Snr: Malcolm Blight
Its not a fair comparison as football is not the same as it was 20 odd years ago.. The standard is alot higher now and alot faster.. Because of this JNR would be a better all round player
Both guns though and it shouldnt even be a talking point as they are 2 different types of players with 2 different roles..
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Re: Gary Ablett Jnr is a superior footballer to his father Ablett Snr: Malcolm Blight
Quote:
Originally Posted by
DragzLS1
Its not a fair comparison as football is not the same as it was 20 odd years ago.. The standard is alot higher now and alot faster.. Because of this JNR would be a better all round player
Both guns though and it shouldnt even be a talking point as they are 2 different types of players with 2 different roles..
If we made this a rule, Woof would be a very baren site.:).
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Re: Gary Ablett Jnr is a superior footballer to his father Ablett Snr: Malcolm Blight
Imagine Gary snr one out in the goal square with today's rules. He would kill them.
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Re: Gary Ablett Jnr is a superior footballer to his father Ablett Snr: Malcolm Blight
Both Champions, snr more spectacular, jnr more consistent, both play different positions and styles so how do you compare? Snr was certainly alot dirtier! Just ask Rohan Smith.
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Re: Gary Ablett Jnr is a superior footballer to his father Ablett Snr: Malcolm Blight
Gary Snr for me. On the basis that he dominated as all types of forward positions in his time, and that I know if he was trained and coached (though, possibly he was uncoachable in some respects) to play as modern players are he'd be head and shoulders above the competition.
Mid-size forward is the hardest area on the ground to dominate and senior did it very very well. I'm sure Jnr could do it very well, but with a midfield dedicated to protecting you, you really should dominate if you have Jnr's ability.
It's always hard comparing players of different eras because the game has changed so much in the last 15 years or so. For mine, I look at talent versus impact on a game, and with that I choose Snr.
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Re: Gary Ablett Jnr is a superior footballer to his father Ablett Snr: Malcolm Blight
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Maddog37
Imagine Gary snr one out in the goal square with today's rules. He would kill them.
I think these comments are just plain wrong.
Gary sr was a master of using his hands in the back, as were many of the past great forwards, not so sure he'd enjoy the rules.
Not to mention, he'd get suspended every second week with the physicality he played with.
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Re: Gary Ablett Jnr is a superior footballer to his father Ablett Snr: Malcolm Blight
Bump
Gold Coast champion Gary Ablett is set to draw level with his dad on 248 games
Junior really is a champ and fast approaching 250 games and still going strong. 49 disposals versus Collingwood shows how good he is.
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Re: Gary Ablett Jnr is a superior footballer to his father Ablett Snr: Malcolm Blight
And some great old footage of Snr's career highlights on Footy Flashbacks this afternoon. Forgot how muddy the grounds used to be at times!
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Re: Gary Ablett Jnr is a superior footballer to his father Ablett Snr: Malcolm Blight
Both snr and jnr are Champions of our great game. Gary Ablett senior was a brilliant spectacular individual, who probably lacked the endurance of his brilliant son, who can run all day. I believe the son was a better team player and it was those qualities that brought him ultimate success with the Cats. This same success was denied Gary senior who played in equally strong teams at Geelong. Gary senior had more foibles and was engaged in many doubtful incidents in his career. Gary junior was a far more disciplined footballer. The senior coaches during Gary senior's time had huge problems with his carefree attitude to training which suggested the approach of an individual rather than a team approach.
Both have been gifted with incredible abilities but if I had to make a choice difficult as it is I would opt for junior.
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Re: Gary Ablett Jnr is a superior footballer to his father Ablett Snr: Malcolm Blight
Quote:
Originally Posted by
bornadog
Only 29 this year as well. Would surely have at least 2 or 3 years left in him, which would take him to 300, especially given GC will surely be playing finals in 2 years if not next year.
After his extraordinary performance against Geelong his case grows stronger and stronger all the time.
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Re: Gary Ablett Jnr is a superior footballer to his father Ablett Snr: Malcolm Blight
I was thinking with the Operation Get Tom Boyd, we should go after Gary Ablett Jnr Jnr, NOW,
1. Recruit Jnr when he retires from GCS, giving him a five year multi million dollar deal
2. Name Jnr as the sub for all 110 games - he doesn't even need to turn up, just qualify for F/S
3. After his 5 seasons, sign him as senior coach for 15 years, on massive dollars
4. When his boys are making decisions on where to play, they choose WBFC to play under their dad
5. Reap the rewards :)
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Re: Gary Ablett Jnr is a superior footballer to his father Ablett Snr: Malcolm Blight
Quote:
Originally Posted by
bulldogtragic
I was thinking with the Operation Get Tom Boyd, we should go after Gary Ablett Jnr Jnr, NOW,
1. Recruit Jnr when he retires from GCS, giving him a five year multi million dollar deal
2. Name Jnr as the sub for all 110 games - he doesn't even need to turn up, just qualify for F/S
3. After his 5 seasons, sign him as senior coach for 15 years, on massive dollars
4. When his boys are making decisions on where to play, they choose WBFC to play under their dad
5. Reap the rewards :)
Unfortunately he's not in our target age bracket:D
Points for the lateral thinking though.
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Re: Gary Ablett Jnr is a superior footballer to his father Ablett Snr: Malcolm Blight
Part of Senior's superiority is the aura that was built around him.
His gifts were universally idolised.
Not so Junior's.
The mythology of Senior will last forever and will be stronger than Junior's will ever be.
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Re: Gary Ablett Jnr is a superior footballer to his father Ablett Snr: Malcolm Blight
The irony of Malcolm Blight asking this question is that Blight is the player who's skill set was closest to Gary Ablett sr's.
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Re: Gary Ablett Jnr is a superior footballer to his father Ablett Snr: Malcolm Blight
I'm hoping that Gary Junior finishes the last couple of years predominently as a forward - and kicks bags of goals. Could you imagine if footy these days enabled him to have the whole 50m arc to himself against his direct opponent only? He would kick a goal every single time the ball went in there!
Gary Ablett Snr is probably the best player I've seen - but I'm now starting to think his son will finish his career as the better player. He might already be there.
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Re: Gary Ablett Jnr is a superior footballer to his father Ablett Snr: Malcolm Blight
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Ozza
I'm hoping that Gary Junior finishes the last couple of years predominently as a forward - and kicks bags of goals. Could you imagine if footy these days enabled him to have the whole 50m arc to himself against his direct opponent only? He would kick a goal every single time the ball went in there!
Gary Ablett Snr is probably the best player I've seen - but I'm now starting to think his son will finish his career as the better player. He might already be there.
His goal sense certainly matches his old man's, that's for sure. If he's inside the 50, irrespective of which way he's facing, he knows where the goals are, and rarely misses them.
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Re: Gary Ablett Jnr is a superior footballer to his father Ablett Snr: Malcolm Blight
Think of it this way: Is Junior in the running for eventual Legend status? Because if not for the off-field crap, youd think Senior would have it.
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Re: Gary Ablett Jnr is a superior footballer to his father Ablett Snr: Malcolm Blight
Quote:
Originally Posted by
BornAScragger
Think of it this way: Is Junior in the running for eventual Legend status? Because if not for the off-field crap, youd think Senior would have it.
He'll be in the Hall of Fame as soon as he's eligible and would surely tick all the boxes for Legend Status, would simply have to wait his turn.
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Re: Gary Ablett Jnr is a superior footballer to his father Ablett Snr: Malcolm Blight
Quote:
Originally Posted by
BornAScragger
Think of it this way: Is Junior in the running for eventual Legend status? Because if not for the off-field crap, youd think Senior would have it.
"Crap"