<p class='western' style='margin-bottom: 0cm;]Gold Coast head coach Guy McKenna has claimed Gary Ablett's determination to continue being the Suns star man in midfield could be the driving force behind him going onto collect a third Brownlow Medal. The midfielder, who has amassed 145 fantasy points in six games this season, took his Brownlow vote total to between 10 and 12 after six rounds with a sensational performance in his side's 40-point victory over Greater Western Sydney.
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<p class='western' style='margin-bottom: 0cm;]The former Geelong star produced yet another memorable performance to help Gold Coast to their fourth win of the season, with Ablett recording 30 disposals, 20 contested possessions, 11 clearances, 11 tackles, six inside 50s and two goals. It was Ablett's 94th career return of 30-plus disposals and highlighted just how much is left to come from a player who is nearing his 30th birthday.
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<p class='western' style='margin-bottom: 0cm;]The two-time Brownlow winner has already put himself in a great position to win a third, although there could be significant damage done to his hopes with the form of Gold Coast's impressive young stars such as Jaeger O'Meara, David Swallow, Harley Bennell and Dion Prestia - who are all capable of taking votes off Ablett this season.
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<p class='western' style='margin-bottom: 0cm;]And McKenna believes the young talent coming through the Gold Coast ranks is pushing the ultra-competitive Ablett to keep producing the sort of performances that could see him become a triple Brownlow winner.
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<p class='western' style='margin-bottom: 0cm;]He's playing some fantastic football. Gary still wants to be the `top dog' in town. You don't achieve what he has achieved so far without a healthy competitive streak. He sees these young guys coming through and it really does drive him to greater heights.&rdquo;
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<p class='western' style='margin-bottom: 0cm;]Gary understands that having good teammates means you will have a good football team so he is excited by what the future holds. But he wants to play in finals and win grand finals first and if Brownlows, Norm Smiths and the like follow, so be it. That's what makes him such a fantastic leader and fantastic role model.&rdquo;
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<p class='western' style='margin-bottom: 0cm;]After an extremely encouraging start to the season, Gold Coast will be further boosted by the return of a number of important players. Ruckman Tom Nicholls is expected to make a speedy return to action following the calf injury that kept him out of the win against the Giants. Midfielder Bennell and key forward Charlie Dixon both four quarters in the NEAFL and are expected to be thrown straight back into the seniors for the next round against North Melbourne at the Etihad.
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<p class='western' style='margin-bottom: 0cm;]With a full strength squad to choose from, this Gold Coast squad have everything needed to lead this team into this season's playoffs. And with a number of impressive youngsters coming through into the seniors and catching the eye, there's no reason why the Suns couldn't be the surprise package with ]http://www.bet365.com.au/news/en/betting/ of this season. Ablett, meanwhile, will continue to be the man to watch this year and someone who could go on to win a third Brownlow medal - not to mention continue to be one of the hottest properties to fantasy footie fans.
McKenna pours praise on in-form Ablett
Discussion in 'Blog' started by walesy, May 1, 2014.
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Discussion in 'Blog' started by walesy, May 1, 2014.