Gary Ablett Sr agreed in March 2024 to sell some of his personal football memorabilia, with reports saying the collection would include more than 200 items. He later clarified that he was not selling everything: his 1989 Norm Smith Medal, three Coleman Medals and 1984 Geelong best and fairest were excluded.
What items were reported for sale?
On 5 March 2024, PerthNow reported that Ablett, the former Geelong star, was putting personal playing gear and football awards up for sale, with more than 200 items expected. The report named the 1993 Leigh Matthews Trophy and eight pairs of playing gloves as examples. PerthNow’s report said Entertainment by Vin was assisting with promotion.
7NEWS described the planned catalogue as including match-worn guernseys, boots, shorts and warm-up jackets, along with memorabilia and merchandise, signed prints, photographs from his playing days and private collection, limited-edition items, and some awards, trophies, milestone plaques and medals. That was a report about the intended catalogue, not confirmation of the final lots. 7NEWS’s 5 March report
Was Ablett selling his Norm Smith Medal or everything?
No. In a statement reported by 7NEWS on 9 March 2024, Ablett rejected the claim that he was selling all his memorabilia. He specifically said the sale did not include his 1989 Norm Smith Medal, three Coleman Medals or 1984 Geelong best and fairest.
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“I have not mentioned to anyone about selling everything including any of my medals, neither do I need to sell these items.”
He also said: “The collection doesn’t include any of my medals such as the 1989 Norm Smith, three Colemans and the 1984 Geelong best and fairest.” 7NEWS’s 9 March report
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Why was he selling some memorabilia?
Ablett said most of the items had been in storage for 25–30 years. He said people in the memorabilia business had approached him over several years, and he eventually agreed to sell some pieces because fans could enjoy owning them. He denied that he needed to sell them for financial reasons.
“Most of it has been in storage for 25-30 years and when they put it to me that people would get a lot of enjoyment from having some of those items, I finally agreed to sell some items.”
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Why the collection attracted attention
Ablett’s career is part of the context for the interest in the memorabilia. 7NEWS reported that he scored 1,031 goals in 248 AFL matches and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005. Fox Sports reported that 242 of his 248 career games were for Geelong. These are figures as reported by those outlets. 7NEWS · Fox Sports
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Can you still bid on the items?
Current availability is not established by the available reporting. The reports do not confirm a final catalogue, auction date, sale results or whether any bidding remains open. Entertainment by Vin was named as involved in promoting or facilitating the proposed sale, but that does not establish a current auction. Do not assume the sale is open without a current catalogue or direct confirmation from the organizer.
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If a catalogue is available, check each lot’s description and provenance, whether an item is match-worn or commemorative, its condition, authentication documents and any included accessories. Review the estimate or opening bid, buyer fees, and collection or delivery terms before deciding what you are willing to pay. The reported categories alone do not verify any of those details for a particular lot.
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