Gary Ablett: Football, Slang, and Menkes Disease Explained

It’s not often that one name connects a champion AFL player, a rare genetic disorder, and a piece of Cockney rhyming slang, yet “Gary Ablett” does exactly that — in 2020, Gary Ablett Jr. and his wife Jordan learned their son Levi had Menkes disease, a condition that reshaped their lives (The Nightly). This article untangles the two football careers, the devastating disease, and the surprising slang that all share one name.

Gary Ablett Jr.: Australian rules footballer, born 1984 · Gary Ablett Sr.: AFL Hall of Famer, father of Gary Jr. · Son’s condition: Menkes disease, diagnosed 2020 · Cockney slang: Gary Ablett = tablet (drug pill) · Menkes life expectancy: Typically 3–10 years

Six key facts, one pattern: each piece of the Gary Ablett story comes from a different world — sport, medicine, language — yet they all hinge on the same name.

The implication: the name “Gary Ablett” carries far more than a football legacy.

What is the disease that Gary Ablett’s son has?

Gary Ablett Jr. and his wife Jordan revealed in 2025 that their son Levi was diagnosed with Menkes disease in May 2020 (The Nightly). Menkes disease is a rare genetic disorder that disrupts the body’s ability to metabolise copper, leading to severe neurological degeneration (MedlinePlus Genetics).

What are the symptoms of Menkes disease?

• Progressive neurological decline, including seizures and delayed development (MedlinePlus Genetics)
• Characteristic kinky hair, weak muscle tone, and failure to thrive (MedlinePlus Genetics)
• Copper deficiency affects connective tissue and blood vessels (MedlinePlus Genetics)

What is the life expectancy of Menkes disease?

Without treatment, Menkes disease is usually fatal in early childhood. Life expectancy typically ranges from 3 to 10 years, though some children live longer with copper-histidine therapy (MedlinePlus Genetics).

The implication: Levi’s story highlights the urgent need for rare disease awareness.

How is Levi Ablett’s condition six years after diagnosis?

In 2025, the family shared Levi’s journey through the Good Friday Appeal, describing him as a six-year-old boy who continues to fight against the odds (The Nightly). Jordan Ablett said the diagnosis “completely changed” their lives. The family’s openness has raised awareness of Menkes disease and the importance of early diagnosis.

What is Gary Ablett slang for?

Cockney rhyming slang replaces common words with phrases that rhyme, often dropping the rhyming part. “Gary Ablett” rhymes with “tablet,” meaning a pill or drug tablet (Encyclopaedia Britannica). Similarly, “treacle” is slang for “sweetheart,” from “treacle tart” rhyming with “sweetheart.”

Why do cockneys say treacle?

• “Treacle” is short for “treacle tart,” which rhymes with “sweetheart.” (Encyclopaedia Britannica)
• It’s an affectionate term, not a reference to syrup.

What does “Gary Ablett” mean in Cockney rhyming slang?

• It means “tablet” — a drug pill. (Encyclopaedia Britannica)
• The name is used because “Gary Ablett” rhymes with “tablet.”

The pattern: sport’s influence extends into unexpected corners of language.

What was Gary Ablett’s cause of death?

Gary Ablett Sr., the English footballer, died on 1 January 2012 from non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. He remains the only player to win the FA Cup with both Liverpool and Everton. (LFChistory.net)

Who is Gary Ablett Jr.?

Gary Ablett Jr., born 14 May 1984, is a former Australian rules footballer who played for the Geelong Cats and Gold Coast Suns (AFL). He is widely considered one of the greatest players of his generation.

What is Gary Ablett Jr.’s AFL career?

• Played 358 games across Geelong (2002–2010, 2018–2020) and Gold Coast (2011–2017) (AFL)
• Won two Brownlow Medals (2009, 2013) (AFL)
• Three-time AFL premiership player (2007, 2009, 2011) (AFL)
• AFL Hall of Fame inductee (2023) (AFL)

What awards did Gary Ablett Jr. win?

• 2× Brownlow Medal (2009, 2013) (AFL)
• 3× AFL premiership (2007, 2009, 2011) (AFL)
• 6× All-Australian (2007–2014) (AFL)
• Gold Coast Suns best and fairest (2011, 2012, 2014) (AFL)

The pattern: Gary Ablett Jr. dominated the AFL for two decades, earning a legacy that rivals any in the sport.

Who is Gary Ablett Sr.?

Gary Ablett Sr. is a former Australian rules footballer who played for Geelong and Hawthorn in the VFL/AFL (AFL). He is the father of Gary Ablett Jr. and was inducted into the AFL Hall of Fame (AFL).

What is Gary Ablett Sr.’s football career?

• Played for Geelong (1982–1991) and Hawthorn (1992) (AFL)
• Kicked 439 goals in 198 VFL/AFL games (AFL)
• Two-time Coleman Medalist (1984, 1985) (AFL)
• Regarded as one of the most exciting forwards of his era (AFL)

The catch: even legendary talent can be complicated by personal struggles.

What is Gary Ablett doing now?

After retiring from AFL in 2020, Gary Ablett Jr. has focused on family and faith. He and his wife Jordan run the Active Faith charity, which supports mothers and babies in need (The Nightly). Gary is a Christian and has spoken about how his faith has helped him navigate Levi’s diagnosis.

What is Gary Ablett Jr.’s religion?

• Gary Ablett Jr. is a Christian (The Nightly)
• He credits his faith with giving him strength during his son’s medical journey.

What is Gary Ablett Jr.’s charity work?

• Co-founded Active Faith charity with wife Jordan (The Nightly)
• The charity provides practical support to mothers and babies facing hardship.

The implication: Gary Ablett Jr. has exchanged the football field for a mission of faith and family care.

Timeline

• 14 May 1984 – Gary Ablett Jr. born (AFL)
• 2002–2020 – Gary Ablett Jr.’s AFL career (AFL)
• May 2020 – Levi Ablett diagnosed with Menkes disease (The Nightly)
• 2023 – Good Friday Appeal updates on Levi’s condition (The Nightly)

What this means: the Ablett family story spans decades and continents.

What’s confirmed and what’s unclear

“It completely changed our lives.”

Jordan Ablett, speaking about son Levi’s Menkes diagnosis (The Nightly)

“We are grateful for the support of the community and the Good Friday Appeal.”

Gary Ablett Jr., via the Good Friday Appeal (The Nightly)

The upshot: separating fact from ambiguity helps readers understand the full picture.

For families facing a rare genetic diagnosis, the Abletts’ story is more than a headline: it’s a reminder that behind every public figure lies a private battle. The choice is to either retreat or use the platform to shine light on conditions like Menkes disease that get too little attention. The Abletts have chosen the latter.

For a more detailed look at the AFL star’s journey, read about Gary Ablett Jr. career and Menkes disease alongside his personal challenges.

Frequently asked questions

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