A local Tasmanian football club has confirmed that AFL legend Gary Ablett will don the black and white, suiting up for the Glenorchy Magpies in Round 1 of the 2026 season.
Talks between the two parties have spanned for the better part of three months, with the Magpies finally landing their man.
Ablett will play a one-off "celebrity" game, which has been requested to be a week before the official opening of the new campaign, according to the Herald Sun.
"🏉 Gary Ablett Will Play For Glenorchy Round 1 in March!" the statement read.
"How cool! One of (if not the greatest player of all time) will play in the black and white at the nest Round 1 next season.
"In what could most likely be *the last ever chance to see GAZ play AFL* a game he dominated for over 357 games, winning 2 premierships, 2 Brownlows, 8 all Australians and a suite of other B&F and goal kicking awards.
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"This is a historic moment for Tasmanian football and off the back of our VFL and VFLW teams announcement, Tasmanian football is now truly part of the national game."
The announcement comes shortly after it was confirmed that the incoming Tasmania Devils will feature in the VFL and VFLW next year.
The AFL confirmed the licenses for the club on Friday, with the Devils to host games in Hobart, Launceston and, possibly, Penguin.
