Geoff Ablett, a member of the AFL's renowned Ablett family and brother of Gary Ablett Snr, has passed away after a battle with motor neurone disease (MND). He was 71.
A celebrated AFL career
Once regarded as the fastest man in the game, Geoff Ablett played more than 200 games for Hawthorn, including the 1976 and 1978 premierships. He was famous for his speed, winning four grand final sprints, a highlight of the AFL/VFL grand final entertainment.
Recruited from Drouin, he played for Hawthorn from 1973 to 1982, before stints at Richmond and St Kilda. He retired at the end of 1985 after one season with the Saints.
Health struggles and diagnosis
In February 2025, news of his MND diagnosis became public. He had endured months of health struggles and underwent a series of tests before learning he had MND just before Christmas 2024. In an interview with 7NEWS, he revealed he had “shed a few tears” after being told he had 6-12 months to live.
Geoff previously served as mayor of Casey and faced a corruption inquiry that resulted in no charges. He said the stress of that inquiry contributed to his health struggles.
The Ablett family legacy
While Gary Ablett Snr was the superstar, Geoff and his brother Kevin also played at the top level. Kevin made his debut for Hawthorn in 1977, becoming a teammate of Geoff and future brother-in-law Michael Tuck. Kevin passed away in October 2024.
Geoff's nephews include Gary Ablett Jnr, Nathan Ablett, Luke Ablett (who played in Sydney's 2005 premiership team), and the late Shane Tuck and his brother Travis. All played AFL football. His uncle Len also played for Richmond in the 1940s.
Tributes flow
Tributes for Geoff, nicknamed 'the race horse', have spread across social media. A long-time Hawthorn fan said: “One of the most caring blokes who pulled on our jumper and performed for the club week in week out. Teacher, brother, mate, player ... He kept Kevin and Gary on the football path ... had the respect of the Lang Lang community as a darn good bloke growing up. Unlike the boys who were a tad wild, Geoff was the leveller ... he was a major part of the clan of the Abletts and Tucks' success in VFL football. One of the greatest families in the VFL/AFL ... So for me, I'll celebrate the life of a true gentleman, a champion bloke ... who just happened to be a player at HFC.”
Fan account Glenferrie Gold said: “Sending love to his family and friends ...”
In a moving tribute from 'Citrus Bob Utber' (of Footy Almanac fame), Geoff was described as “a champion player” who lived “under the shadow” of Gary Ablett Snr. Citrus Bob wrote: “I have known Geoff since he was a schoolboy champion athlete and an outstanding footballer with Drouin under age teams in the West Gippsland Football League. Geoff, a trained primary physical education teacher, taught my children at the Pakenham Consolidated school and of course, was a hero to all the kids.”
Geoff Ablett is being remembered as a 'true gentleman' and 'a hero to all the kids'.
