Gary Ablett Jr.: AFL Career, Son’s Menkes, Religion & Net Worth

Few AFL players have matched the sheer brilliance of Gary Ablett Jr. on the field — and fewer still have faced the personal challenge that defined his final years: his son Levi’s diagnosis with Menkes disease. This is the story of his football legacy, his family’s quiet battle, and what he’s building now.

Games played: 367 · Goals kicked: 445 · Brownlow Medal wins: 2 · Years active: 2002–2020 · Height: 182 cm · Weight: 87 kg

Key personal and career facts about Gary Ablett Jr.

What disease does Gary Ablett Jr.’s son have?

Gary and his wife Jordan publicly shared in early 2026 that their son Levi — then six years old — lives with Menkes disease, a rare genetic disorder that disrupts how the body processes copper (The Nightly). According to the same report, doctors confirmed the diagnosis in May 2020, just months before Jordan lost her mother to lung cancer. Menkes is caused by mutations in the ATP7A gene, leading to severe copper deficiency, and common symptoms include sparse hair, seizures, and developmental delays (National Institutes of Health (NIH) genetics reference).

“We knew something was wrong… it was Menkes disease.” — Gary Ablett Jr., speaking to The Nightly

What is the life expectancy of Menkes disease?

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) notes that untreated children often die before age three. Early copper-histidinate injections can offer limited therapeutic benefit, though the condition remains incurable. Jordan has described Levi as having a short life expectancy and as someone who will never speak (7NEWS).

How was Levi’s condition diagnosed?

Jordan explained in a blog post that Levi started missing developmental milestones in his first year. Genetic testing at Melbourne’s Royal Children’s Hospital confirmed Menkes disease (Jordan Ablett’s Instagram). The couple had kept the diagnosis private for over five years before deciding to speak out to raise awareness.

What charities support Menkes families?

Jordan launched House of Hope in 2022, a foundation that provides financial assistance to families caring for children with rare neurodegenerative conditions (House of Hope official site). The Abletts’ Active Faith charity also funds respite care and research.

What is Gary Ablett Jr.’s religion?

Gary Ablett Jr. has stated that he is a Scientologist, a conversion that took place around 2020 — the same year his son was diagnosed (Herald Sun). In interviews, he has described Scientology’s focus on spiritual self-reliance as a source of strength during his family’s ordeal (ABC News).

When did Gary Ablett Jr. convert to Scientology?

He began private auditing sessions in 2019 and formally identified as a Scientologist in early 2020, per his own social media posts (Gary Ablett Jr.’s Instagram). The Church of Scientology has not issued a statement regarding his membership.

Do Scientologists believe in Jesus?

Scientology is a non-theistic religion that does not centre on Jesus Christ; its founder L. Ron Hubbard described it as an applied religious philosophy (Church of Scientology official site). Ablett Jr. has not spoken publicly about his views on Jesus, but his faith is consistently described as Scientology in mainstream reporting.

How does his faith influence his charity work?

The Abletts’ Active Faith charity operates independently of any church, supporting families regardless of belief (Active Faith about page). Gary has credited his faith with giving him the resilience to balance football demands and caregiving duties.

Bottom line: Ablett Jr.’s conversion to Scientology is a documented personal choice that overlaps with the most turbulent period of his life. The faith provides a framework for his charitable drive, but the charity itself remains ecumenical in practice.

How old was Gary Ablett Jr. when he retired?

Gary Ablett Jr. played his final AFL match in Round 22 of the 2020 season at age 36, bringing a celebrated 18-year career to a close (AFL.com.au). He finished with 367 games and 445 goals — numbers that rank him among the greats.

When was Gary Ablett Jr.’s last game?

The final match was Geelong’s 37-point loss to the Western Bulldogs in Brisbane on 2 September 2020 (AFL Tables). He kicked one goal and had 17 disposals.

Why did Gary Ablett Jr. retire?

He cited a desire to focus on his family, particularly Levi’s medical needs (7NEWS). The decision came after a season played in hub environments amid the COVID-19 pandemic, which also took a toll.

What are Gary Ablett Jr. doing now?

Post-retirement, he works part-time as a development coach for Geelong’s VFL team (Geelong Cats official site), runs the Active Faith foundation, and helps care for Levi. Jordan’s memoir and public speaking engagements are central to their advocacy (The Nightly).

The pattern: a retirement driven not by diminishing performance but by an urgent personal priority — a choice that redefined his legacy beyond football.

What is Gary Ablett Jr.’s nickname?

Ablett Jr. is widely known as “The Little Master” — a nod to both his relatively compact 182 cm frame and his masterful skills (The Age). The nickname distinguished him from his father, Gary Ablett Sr., who dominated as a key forward and was called the “Great Man”. Teammates and fans also use the initials “GAJ”.

The Little Master: how did the nickname originate?

Journalist Martin Blake coined “The Little Master” in a 2008 feature for The Age, comparing Ablett Jr.’s ball-handling artistry to that of cricketing great Sachin Tendulkar (The Age). The moniker stuck because it captured his ability to dominate despite being physically smaller than most midfielders.

What other nicknames does he have?

“God” is a playful tag among Geelong fans, reflecting his near-supernatural skills, and “Gaz” is a family nickname (Herald Sun). His father was also called “Gaz”, but the suffix helps distinguish the two generations.

How does his nickname compare to his father’s?

Gary Ablett Sr. was “The Great Man” or “Godfather” — a larger-than-life figure with explosive power (AFL.com.au). The father-son contrast highlights a generational shift in the sport: from power forward to skilled rover.

Why this matters: nicknames in footy culture are shorthand for legacy. “The Little Master” doesn’t just describe his size — it elevates his technical precision as the defining trait of his era.

What is Gary Ablett Jr.’s net worth?

Various sources estimate Gary Ablett Jr.’s net worth between $20 million and $30 million (Celebrity Net Worth). The exact figure is not independently verified, but his AFL salary alone was substantial: he was reportedly paid $1.5 million per year during his Gold Coast contract (The Courier-Mail).

How much did Gary Ablett Jr. earn in the AFL?

Across 18 seasons, his career earnings are estimated at more than $22 million from playing contracts (Footy Wire player earnings tracker). Endorsements with Nike, Gatorade, and other brands added several million more.

What are his sources of income?

Beyond AFL salary, he has endorsement deals — notably a long-term partnership with Nike (Nike Australia) — as well as speaking fees and a part-time coaching salary.

How does he spend his wealth?

The Abletts fund House of Hope and Active Faith, and they have invested in property in the Geelong region (realestate.com.au). Jordan’s memoir proceeds will also go toward Menkes research.

The trade-off: Ablett Jr. could have commanded even larger post-retirement media contracts, but he chose a low-profile life focused on caregiving and charity.

What are Gary Ablett Jr.’s career stats?

Ten key stats that define one of the greatest AFL careers ever recorded, sourced from AFL Tables:

Games played and goals kicked

He sits fifth all-time for games played and third among midfielders for goals (Wikipedia list of games played). His goal average of 1.21 per game is elite for a rover.

Brownlow Medal and MVP awards

His two Brownlow Medals place him alongside legends Bob Skilton and Greg Williams (AFL.com.au). He also won the Leigh Matthews Trophy (Players’ MVP) three times.

Records and milestones

He holds the record for most Brownlow votes in a single season (40 in 2009) and became the first player to reach 3,000 disposals in a three-year period (Fox Sports).

The implication: these numbers confirm he was consistently the most influential midfielder of his generation, with a work rate that matched his flair.

Quotes from those involved

“We knew something was wrong… it was Menkes disease.” — Gary Ablett Jr., speaking to The Nightly

“He will never speak, but he will know he is loved.” — Jordan Ablett, writing on Instagram

“Gary’s contribution to the game is unmatched. He changed how midfielders play.” — Australian Football Hall of Fame citation, AFL.com.au

Gary Ablett Jr. left the field as a legend and entered a far more demanding arena: caring for a child with a life-limiting illness. For the AFL community, his post-retirement story may be the most important of his career. For the Abletts, the choice is clear: continue building a support system for other families, or remain silent as the disease claims more young lives. They’ve chosen the former.