The Ablett name has been synonymous with AFL for decades, but there’s another side to the game’s best player.

Given his family history, it would have been understandable had Gary Ablett Jnr felt an obligation to follow in his famous father’s footsteps. But Ablett insists that was never the case, and says his father always encouraged him to explore all avenues of life.

“He’s always said to me ‘mate, whether you play football or whatever your job is, I’ve got your back 100 per cent and I love you very much’,” Ablett says.

“He’s always said to me ‘mate, whether you play football or whatever your job is, I’ve got your back 100 per cent and I love you very much’” – Gary Ablett Jnr

While he inherited a love for AFL and Geelong from his father, Ablett grew up loving many different sports. He was a talented basketballer, but knew he wouldn’t be tall enough to make it at the highest level.

“I played for three different teams (when I was younger), so played three times a week”, Ablett says.

He still has a passion for basketball, and golf – and has a serious knack for juggling – but believes “there’s more to life than living for yourself.”

It’s for this reason he’s keen to pursue charity work in the future, and “step away from football” at some point.

“There’s a lot of people less fortunate than me out there and I just want to make sure that I can get out there and give back, and hopefully bring a smile to some of those people’s faces.”

“I’m about to get a charity up and running, and that’s something I’m pretty passionate about,” he says.

“I think life’s about serving people and serving others.”

Ablett knows AFL has opened up a wealth of opportunities for him, and is keen to use them positively in the future. For now though, he makes thousands of people smile each week by doing what he does best – amazing us with his incredible actions on the football field.

Words by Sam McInerney