AFL legend Gary Ablett Jr will play his first semi-professional football game since retirement, playing in the Northern Territory's league later this year.
Northern Territory Football League (NTFL) club, the Palmerston Magpies, announced on Tuesday that Ablett had signed to play one match with the club, at its home ground on Friday, November 18.
The match, which is part of round eight of the league's season, will be against reigning premiership side, St Mary's.
Palmerston Magpies coach Josh Heath said it was a "marquee signing" for the league.
"We're hoping we pack the stadium," he said.
"We'd call on everyone and anyone that's interested in footy [to come].
"You don't have to a be a Palmerston supporter to come out and watch one of the greatest players. So, we're hoping that everyone that's within cooee of Cazalys Arena is out here watching."
Magpies president Russell Davey confirmed the club had made a contribution to Ablett's foundation for his signing, but would not disclose how much.
He said Ablett would also be doing work for his foundation, the Gary Ablett Foundation, while in the Northern Territory.
Ablett is the second high-profile former AFL player to be signed by Palmerston in the last two years.
Last year the club also signed retired Carlton star Eddie Betts, who played seven games for the club over the 2021-22 season.
Heath confirmed that Betts would also be returning this season and could play alongside Ablett in round eight.
"You saw the effect that Eddie and family had on the NTFL and on the Palmerston Magpies from last year," he said.
"We're hoping that these two combined are going to take up right up to that next level, for this season."
"We'd be hopeful that they'd be there together."
Ablett is is widely recognised as one of the best AFL players of all time, as is his father Gary Ablett Senior.
His celebrated AFL career with Geelong and Gold Coast Suns included two premierships and two Brownlow medals.
He is also an eight time All-Australian player, five-times winner of the Leigh Matthews trophy and has won AFL Coaches Association champion player of the year three times.
Ablett retired at the end of the 2020 AFL season.
