Essendon legend Tim Watson believes the return of Gary Ablett to Geelong makes the Cats a genuine premiership contender.
The two-time Brownlow medallist and two-time Geelong premiership player returned to his former club at the age of 34, creating an incredible midfield trio of Dangerfield, Selwood and Ablett, a combination Watson believes could produce September glory.
“I think they’ve got more than enough depth to be one of the best sides in the competition, if not the best side in the competition,” Watson said on SEN Breakfast.
“I’m all in on this Ablett thing. I think they can win the flag in 2018, I really do.”
“What we have is three of the greatest midfielders that have played in the game in the last 50 years, all playing together at Geelong this year.”
Watson also noted Dangerfield and Ablett's ability to have a huge impact in front of goal, noting their versatility as a key to the Cats' success.
"I don’t know whether they will play Danger more forward or the midfield. It doesn’t matter where you play him he’s going to be a superstar,” he said.
“I think the power of their midfield, the goal kicking ability of Dangerfield and Ablett, I think they can kick 70 goals between them.”
Ablett won the Gold Coast best-and-fairest award from just 14 games last year, averaging 33 touches and kicking eight goals, enough proof for Watson to keep his belief in the star.
“I still see him as one of the top ten midfielders in the competition. I still think his great asset will be his ball winning ability around the packs,” Watson said.
“He kicks and handles the ball as well as anyone in the competition. I don’t think he’s lost any of that.”
Geelong plays pre-season fixtures against Gold Coast and Essendon before it's round one clash with Melbourne at the MCG.
