With plenty of discussion surrounding the dominance of the Daicos', the Ashcrofts and the De Konings in today's league, we thought it was time to take a look at some of the greatest football families in the history of our game.
Here are 10 of the best AFL football families that have graced the game...
Honourable Mentions: The Burgoynes, the Moores, the Ashcrofts, the Darcys, the Liberatores, the Tucks, the Whittens, the Barassis, the Scarletts, the Silvagnis, the Fletchers, the Hawkins', the Maddens, the Blakeys, the Clokes, the Hirds, the Roccas', the Picketts, the Hills, the Scotts, the Curnows and the Pickens'.
1. The Abletts
When there is a legitimate case for two different family members to hold the mantle of greatest player of all-time, there remains little doubt over which family truly claims the football crown.
Gary Ablett Sr, nicknamed "God", tells you all you need to know about the reverence surrounding the former Cat. The legendary full-forward is one of only six men to have ever reached the 1000 goal mark, and in doing so registered a staggering 120-plus goal season three years straight (1993-1995). Across his 248 games at the top level, Gary Snr earned himself four All-Australian selections, three Coleman Medals, one Norm Smith Medal and one Geelong best and fairest. He is also an Australian Football Hall of Famer and AFL Team of the Century inductee, and has been awarded the status of Geelong's greatest ever player. His 1989 finals campaign remains one of best on record, as he kicked a historic 27 goals (most ever in a finals series), nine of which had come in the Grand Final alone (most ever in a Grand Final). The former Geelong skipper unfortunately never managed to win that elusive premiership.
The other AFL 'GOAT' in the family is his son, Gary Ablett Jr. Unlike his father, 'The Little Master' managed to achieve premiership glory on multiple occasions (2007 and 2009). Gary Jnr also won many individual honours throughout his career, including two Brownlow Medals, five AFL Players Association (AFLPA) MVPs, three AFL Coaches Association (AFLCA) titles, eight All-Australians and six best and fairest awards. He also posted an impressive three campaigns as his club's leading goalkicker, despite having spent the majority of his career in midfield. With 359 games under his belt, Gary Jr. also sits in the top 20 of all-time games played and is notably the first captain in Gold Coast's history.
Although the Garys are the clear standouts amongst the Ablett clan, five other Ablett's have made appearances at the top level. The next best Ablett is the older brother of Gary Ablett Sr, Geoff Ablett. Geoff enjoyed a healthy career on the wing, playing 229 games and kicking 153 goals across three clubs (Hawthorn, Richmond & St Kilda). His biggest impact however, came at Hawthorn where he played in the 1976 and 1978 premiership-winning sides.
Geoff and Gary Sr's nephew, Luke Ablett, was a 182cm midfielder who played 133 games for the Sydney Swans across the 2000s (2002-2009). His most notable achievement came in 2005 when he helped the Swans break their 72-year premiership drought.
The first Ablett to appear in the AFL/VFL was Leonard Ablett, the uncle of Gary Ablett Sr. 'Len' played 70 games and won a premiership with Richmond (1943) in his brief five-year spell in the league.
Gary Jr's brother Nathan was a 197cm key forward who played alongside his brother in the 2007 Geelong premiership side as well as in the inaugural Gold Coast Suns side in 2011. Nathan enjoyed a promising start to his career, averaging two goals per game in his debut season and earning himself a rising star nomination. He unfortunately lost passion for the game and retired on multiple occasions (first at 21 and again at 25).
Kevin Ablett, the father of Luke, played alongside his brother Geoff during his Hawthorn years (1977-1980) and later played with other brother Gary at Geelong (1985). He managed a total of 38 games and kicked 22 goals across this time.
All things added up, the Ablett haul consists of 1109 games, 1742 goals, seven premierships, 12 All-Australians, six AFLPA awards, three AFLCA awards, six club best and fairests, three Coleman Medals, two Brownlow Medals, 12 club leading goalkicker awards and eight years in captaincy.
Couldnโt manage to get the Silvagni name in there Dale?
Not a great effort Dale.
You include uncles and cousins โ but ONLY if they have the same name. A few extra moment of research would have told you that the Ablett famil also includes Michael, Travis and Tuck.
While the Watson family includes Seb Ross.