Allan Jeans, celebrated coach of St Kilda and Hawthorn, put a stop to Gary Ablett Sr's return to Hawthorn in 1989, according to Hawks legend Robert 'Dipper' DiPierdomenico.
Speaking on the 3AW podcast Footy: Then and Now about the 1989 Grand Final, DiPierdomenico said that Ablett was interested in a reunion with brother-in-law Michael Tuck, and to finish his football career with the wider Ablett clan.
Ablett Sr had begun his career at the Hawks in 1982, but left for Geelong at the end of that season after just six games for a return of 10 goals.
"When Allan Jeans came in, (Ablett) and 'Jeansie' didn't see eye-to-eye, and (he) moved Ablett off," explained DiPierdomenico.
"The thing was, he wanted to come back to Hawthorn in 1989. The club went to 'Jeansie' and said 'have I got some news for you, Gary Ablett want to come back'!"
According to DiPierdomenico, the club only needed Ablett to sign a 'form four' to secure the footballing legend's services. Instead, Allan Jeans made an ultimatum: if Hawthorn were to take Ablett, then Jeans would not coach.
"The club had to make a decision...and went with the coach," DiPierdomenico added.
Ablett went on to kick the ton in three successive seasons in 1993, '94 and '95, winning the Norm Smith Medal in the 1989 Grand Final where he kicked nine goals in a loss to the Hawks.
DiPierdomenico said he had no qualms with the decision to not sign Ablett: "Obviously, we won the game!", with the club going on to win another premiership two years later.
Ablett would end his career after 242 games with the Cats in 1997, booting 1021 goals across a decorated career.
