Source: Herald-Sun
Click for full story.
THE Ablett family has been devastated by the death of one of its favourite sons.
Ryan Ablett, the 27-year-old son of dual Hawthorn premiership player Geoff Ablett, was found dead in Berwick, in Melbourne's south-east, this morning.
He was the cousin of Geelong champion Gary Ablett Jnr, and nephew of club great Gary Ablett Snr.
The Ablett dynasty, which has produced six AFL players, lost its patriarch Alf Ablett last September - the day after Geelong's Grand Final loss to Hawthorn.
Alf was the father of Gary Snr, Geoff and Kevin, who played a combined 515 senior games.
Alf's widow Colleen, Ryan's grandmother, was too distraught to comment about the latest family tragedy last night.
"It's too early to talk about it,'' she said.
Sydney Swan Luke Ablett, Kevin's son, pulled out of last night's game against St Kilda after hearing about his cousin's death.
Blessed with the skills that have made his family famous, Ryan has played Aussie Rules football across the country.
He made Hawthorn's rookie list, won a best-and-fairest for Port Melbourne in the VFL in 2002, and later pulled on the boots for East Fremantle in the Western Australia and West Adelaide in South Australia.
The gifted athlete also trained in the hope of becoming a punter in the NFL, America's football league.
Although Ryan never made it to AFL level like his cousins Gary Jr and Nathan (sons of Gary Snr), and Luke (Kevin's son), he certainly made his mark on the football field.
In 2007, while playing for Bunyip, Ryan booted 10 goals, three points, in a single quarter.
The captain-coach finished the game against Koo-wee-rup with 22 goals, 17 points.
Ryan's father Geoff, who played 229 games for the Hawthorn, Richmond and St Kilda in the 1970s and early 80s, was made mayor of the City of Casey late last year.
The coroner is investigating the death.
The Ablett dynasty also extends to Michael Tuck, the 426-game Hawthorn legend who married Fay Ablett - the daughter of Alf and Colleen Ablett.
