Lyon says Ablett no longer an automatic selection

Fox Footy's Garry Lyon believes AFL champion Gary Ablett will no longer be a walk-up start in Geelong's best 22 moving forward.

Ablett enters his 19th season with an array of accolades to his name, including two premierships, two Brownlow medals, eight All-Australian jackets and six club best and fairest trophies.

The Little Master was slow to get going in his only Marsh Community series performance. He finished goalless with 12 disposals and three frees against in Monday's clash against Essendon.

On Fox Footy's AFL 360 on Monday, Lyon suggested that Ablett might not be one of the first, or automatic selections in the Cats side as the year unfolds.

“You’ve got to earn your spot – I think that’s the way it should be there. ‘Tex’ earns his spot now and I think you’ve got to keep it,” Lyon told AFL 360, when asked about Adelaide captain Taylor Walker's job security.

“I mean we watched Gary Ablett today. Gazza’s going to be there in Round 1, but he won’t be automatic (selection) from now on.

“They (the Cats) will be saying ‘Gazza, righto, yep he’s good’. But there’ll be a conversation at some stage.”

Ablett featured in 24 out of a possible 25 matches for Geelong last season, missing one game due to suspension. The star finished the year kicking just one goal through three finals.

Geelong will travel to New South Wales in round one to face GWS on Saturday, March 21st.