Gary Ablett, the most-prolific AFL player that demands a close tag each week of the season, has opened up about the role of run-with specialists in the game to SEN’s Tim Watson and Andrew Maher last week, telling the Morning Glory duo they’re here to stay.

“I think it is all part of the game,” he said.

“They are sent out there to do a job and you’ve got some of the guys that do it very well.”

“As frustrating as it can get at times, you’ve just got to play around it.”

In the face of tight opposition attention in each of his 21 senior matches this year, Ablett averaged 31 disposals and picked up 124 clearances and 313 contested possessions, ranking among the competition leaders in the latter. 

Nathan Buckley found out leaving Ablett unopposed is a dangerous risk, the Collingwood coach paying a hefty price after failing to stop the Gold Coast captain in his tracks, as Ablett went on to notch 49 touches in the team’s history making win over the Magpies. 

Forced to adapt in his early years, Ablett says he’s now more comfortable running out under the banner knowing what awaits him on the field.

“I know I struggled with it early, as most young players do because in your first couple of years you run around and enjoy your football a little bit more as you haven’t got those guys following you,” Ablett said.

“But as you improve and as you get better it’s something you have to learn to deal with if you want to have a long consistent career.”

With such a young core of midfielders rising through the SUNS ranks, the 253-game superstar said part of his mentoring at the Club was helping the likes of Jaeger O’Meara and Dion Prestia shake off taggers.

“It’s something I’m helping some of the younger players deal with as well, and getting them ready for those situations.”