Criticism of Ablett 'tiresome': Suns - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Criticism of Ablett 'tiresome': Suns

Laine Clark 18/04/2011 05:20:13 PM Comments (0)

Criticism of Gary Ablett has already become "tiresome", according to Gold Coast Suns football manager Marcus Ashcroft.

Eyebrows were raised when Ablett remained in Melbourne for three nights after the Suns' heavy loss to Western Bulldogs then missed Sunday's 90-point shellacking by Melbourne at the Gabba due to calf soreness.

Especially after Ablett admitted on ONE HD's recent program One Week At A Time that he had crossed paths with Brent Moloney late on the night that cost the Melbourne midfielder the Demons vice-captaincy.

While no one accused Ablett of drinking, Hawthorn great Shane Crawford became the latest to criticise the Brownlow Medallist when he suggested the Suns captain was in "party mode".

Ablett has done everything with consent and Gold Coast have mentioned numerous times that other players at the club have spent more time in Melbourne than the dual premiership winner.

But Ablett has come under fire for not doing enough to be perceived as a team man.

However, Ashcroft said the flak would not change anything at the club.

"It (criticism) is a bit tiresome because from an internal point of view he is doing everything right and doing a very good job as the captain of our footy club," he told AAP.

"Gary is a complete professional. He does everything he needs to do to recover and prepare himself for a game of footy.

"Last week he had some soreness that forced him to miss yesterday's game (against Melbourne).

"But there is no direct correlation to him staying back in Melbourne (after the Dogs game) and missing yesterday's game."

Ashcroft insisted Ablett would play against Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium on Saturday.

And he did not think Ablett could have done more as Suns captain, despite also copping criticism for spending too much time away from the club from Melbourne great Garry Lyon, ex-Richmond coach Danny Frawley and Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett.

"People are entitled to their comment but what is important to Gary is how we perceive him and we have a very high regard for Gary and everything he has done has been with our blessing," he said.

"We have a lot of good young kids coming through and Gary is a terrific role model to them - Gary is certainly setting an example for them."

There may have been a perception Ablett spent too much time away from the Suns because he was such a high profile athlete in Melbourne.

"We treat it (time away) on an individual basis. But we encourage our guys catching up with family and friends - they deserve to have some time with family," Ashcroft said.

"It's just that Gary is more recognisable. When he goes back to Melbourne everyone wants to get his autograph - he stands out in a crowd."

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