Gary Ablett Jr. Inducted into Australian Football Hall of Fame, Joins Father

Gary Ablett Jr. has been honored for his significant contributions to Australian Rules Football, earning a place in the Australian Football Hall of Fame alongside his father, Gary Ablett Sr. The induction ceremony took place at a gala event in Melbourne.

Ablett Jr., who retired in 2020, was eligible for induction this year. He joined Geelong in 2001 as a father-son selection and quickly became a pivotal player. He was instrumental in the Geelong Cats' premiership victories in 2007 and 2009, the latter year also marking his first Brownlow Medal win. He later moved to the Gold Coast Suns as their marquee signing in 2011, captaining the club for six seasons and securing his second Brownlow Medal in 2013.

During his career, Ablett Jr. was an eight-time All-Australian and was named the AFL Players Association MVP five times and the AFL Coaches Association champion player of the year three times. He made a return to Geelong for his final three seasons, narrowly missing a third premiership in his last game.

Alongside Ablett Jr., Bill Walker, a celebrated figure from Western Australia, was elevated to Legend status. Other prominent figures inducted include John Worsfold, a premiership captain and coach for West Coast; Dustin Fletcher, Essendon's games record holder; Indigenous champion David Kantilla; Port Adelaide's Tim Evans; and umpire Hayden Kennedy.