Gary Ablett says it’s a special feeling to win a second Brownlow Medal and he finds it amazing to be compared to AFL all-time greats like Hawthorn’s Leigh Matthews.
Ablett, who joined Gold Coast in late 2010 after playing in two premiership sides at Geelong and winning the 2009 Brownlow with the Cats, became only the fifth player to claim the league’s best-player award at different clubs.
Ablett’s second Brownlow victory, by one vote over former Geelong teammate Joel Selwood, capped off his best individual season which also included a seventh consecutive All-Australian selection.
“When it comes to individual awards you’d say yes,” he said.
“We won eight games this year compared to three in the previous two years. I’ve really enjoyed the year.
“I just really want to play finals footy. I find it hard watching footy at this time of the year.
“I really miss that so hopefully we’re not too far away.”
In 2009 Ablett completed the Brownlow-premiership double in the same week.
“It has been very different,” he said.
“I haven’t got a game to prepare for, so it’s going to give me an opportunity to catch up with family and celebrate with them.
“I think my dad (Gary Ablett senior) is going to drive up today so it will be great to catch up with him. He sent me a text last night congratulating me.”
Ablett’s head is spinning at comparisons to Hall of Fame Legend Matthews.
“It is amazing,” Ablett said.
“To be compared to some of the guys like that, absolute champions of the game is an honour.
“I really can’t believe sitting here that I’ve won two Brownlow Medals.
“I truly didn’t believe that I was good enough to play AFL football when I got there in my first year.
“I look back now and I’m 253 games into a career and standing up here with a second Brownlow Medal. It’s pretty special.”
Ablett needed three votes in the final round to finish a single vote ahead of Selwood, who predicted the Suns champion could now go on to make even more Brownlow history.
“It’s great he gets his second one,” Selwood told AAP.
“Gold Coast will win more games next year and he’s just going to be hard to knock off.
“He’s a star, he gets better each year.
“He’s 29 going on 30 and it’s just scary to think a bloke can keep getting better.”
Only four legendary players have won the Brownlow three times – Fitzroy’s Hayden Bunton, Essendon’s Dick Reynolds, South Melbourne’s Bob Skilton and Ian Stewart (St Kilda and Richmond).
For his part, Ablett said he would love to have tied for the medal with the Geelong skipper.
Ablett won the medal with 28 votes, ahead of Selwood (27) and Collingwood’s 2011 Brownlow medallist Dane Swan (26).
Ablett and Selwood were both awarded the maximum three votes in seven games this year.