Footy legend Geoff Ablett has revealed the heartbreaking news that he has between six months and a year to live, after he was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) just before Christmas Eve in 2025.
Ablett, who is the brother of Geelong icon Gary and Hawthorn great Kevin, is understood to have spent much of the past 12 months in and out of hospital as doctors conducted extensive testing to establish why his condition was deteriorating.
But speaking on his diagnosis to 7News, Ablett said: ‘I shed a few tears.
‘I’ve been told lately, 6 to 12 months living time.’
Speaking in January, the former Hawthorn winger had revealed that his condition had ‘become a lot worse over the last couple of months’, adding that he was no longer able to walk.
His family are now trying to bring him back home from hospital and are raising funds to help ensure the dual premiership winner can receive the correct care.
Former Hawthorn champion Geoff Ablett was diagnosed with MND just before Christmas
Ablett revealed to 7News that he may have less than a year left to live, as he battles the disease
Ablett’s sister, Janice, has started a GoFundMe page, which you can donate to here.
He added that being in hospital gets a bit ‘mundane and depressing.’
‘When you’re at home you’re alive and people are there for you,’ Ablett told 7News. ‘They love you and they want to do things with you.’
Members from the footy world are rallying around Ablett, including one of his former rivals, Neale Daniher.
The Essendon great, who was diagnosed with MND in 2013, has sent an inspiring message to the Hawks great.
‘Hi Geoff, Neale Daniher here,’ he said.
‘Sorry to hear about your diagnosis.
The footy great won two premierships with the Hawks during his glittering career
‘Being footballers who played in the same era, we have both ridden some big bumps on the footy field, but there is no doubt this beast is going to be our toughest battle.
‘Wishing you well. I hope you’re getting plenty of love and support. All the very best, mate.’
Ablett responded to the message that Daniher’s story had inspired him to ‘keep pushing on’.
‘I hope you keep inspiring all of Australia to find an answer to the riddle of this bloody beast,’ he told 7News, in response to Daniher’s message.
‘He’s just an absolute legend, an example to me that I’ve just got to keep pushing on.’
In January, Ablett had praised the work Daniher had done to raise awareness regarding the neurological condition.
‘A lot of the equipment is here because of funding from what Neale Daniher has done,’ Ablett said to NewsCorp.
‘If I buzz for a nurse at night, often two come straight away.
Ablett said he had been inspired to keep fighting by fellow footy legend Neale Daniher (right)
‘I have been inspired by his journey and want to thank him for what he has done for fellow MND sufferers. It’s a horrible disease and Neale Daniher has helped so much in the fight against it.’
Ablett enjoyed a glittering career in the VFL, winning two premierships with the Hawks.
He made his debut in 1973, going on to play 202 games for Hawthorn before joining Richmond in 1983. The pacey winger would later move to St Kilda in 1985 before hanging up his boots at the end of the season.
He reflected fondly on his footy career, stating: ‘Put it this way, no one ever ran away from me bouncing the ball,’ he said.
‘When they saw me coming, they would say: “F*** it, I’d better kick it”.’
Ablett’s family have started a GoFundMe page to assist with his care
