Former Power great Kane Cornes believes Geelong champion Gary Ablett should consider retiring while still on top of his game.
The 35-year old was quiet in his side's 10-point loss to Collingwood in Friday night's qualifying final, collecting 17 disposals and failing to hit the scoreboard.
Ablett enjoyed an impressive season after moving into a permanent forward role, booting 33 goals and getting nominated to the 40-man All Australian squad.
Cornes believes Ablett could avoid enduring a campaign like retired Hawthorn great Jarryd Roughead, who spent the majority of the season in the VFL.
“Gary Ablett has been the best player in my era,” Cornes told AFL.com.au’s The Round So Far.
“He’s certainly the best player I’ve played against and one of the best I’ve ever seen but the end does come quickly.
“Whilst he’s been really good this year, watching him on Friday night, I was thinking to myself you don’t want that to be Jarryd Roughead next year, you don’t want Gary Ablett to have the year that Rough had.
“You want him to go out in the squad of 40 in the All-Australian having a significant impact in his last year.
“I’m not sure whether he should go on, just observing him.
“I know it’s tough to judge on one night but he looked like he didn’t want the physical contest.”
The Cats play West Coast next Friday night at the MCG in a do-or-die semi final.
