Geoff Ablett, of the AFL’s famous Ablett family that includes his legendary brother Gary Ablett Snr, has lost his battle with motor neurone disease.

Geoff was once considered the game’s fastest man, and featured in more than 200 games for Hawthorn, including the 1976 and 1978 premierships.

In February this year news of his MND diagnosis sadly came to light.

The 71-year-old had endured months of health struggles in 2025 and underwent a series of tests before learning he had MND just before Christmas.

In an interview with 7NEWS, he revealed he had “shed a few tears” after he was told he had 6-12 months to live.

While Gary Ablett Snr was the superstar, Geoff and his other brother, Kevin, also played at the top level.

Geoff was famous for his speed, winning four grand final sprints, an event that has always been a highlight of the AFL/VFL’s grand final entertainment.

After he was recruited from Drouin, Geoff played for Hawthorn from 1973 to 1982.

He then had stints at Richmond and St Kilda, retiring at the end of 1985 after one year with the Saints.

Kevin made his debut for Hawthorn in 1977, becoming a teammate of Geoff’s and future brother-in-law Michael Tuck (the latter a Hawthorn captain and Hall of Famer who played more than 400 games).

In 1982, Gary Snr also became a teammate of Geoff’s when he debuted for Hawthorn. Both departed the Hawks at the end of that year.

In October last year, Kevin sadly passed away.

Geoff’s nephews are Gary Ablett Jnr and his brother Nathan, Luke Ablett (who played in Sydney’s 2005 premiership team), and the late Shane Tuck and his brother Travis.

They all played AFL football, and his uncle Len also played for Richmond in the 1940s.

Geoff was once the mayor of Casey, and faced a corruption inquiry that resulted in no charges.

He previously said the stress of that inquiry contributed to his health struggles.

Tributes for Geoff the ‘the race horse’ have started to spread across social media.

“One of the most caring blokes who pulled on our jumper and performed for the club week in week out,” a long-time Hawthorn fan said.

“Teacher, brother, mate, player ... He kept Kevin and Gary on the football path ... Family and friend drove him … had the respect of the Lang Lang community as a darn good bloke growing up.

“Unlike the boys who were a tad wild, Geoff was the leveller ... he was a major part of the clan of the Ablett’s and Tuck’s success in VFL football. One of the greatest families in the VFL/AFL ...

“So for me, I’ll celebrate the life of a true gentleman, a champion bloke ... who just happened to be a player at HFC.”

Fan account Glenferrie Gold said: “Sending love to his family and friends ...”

And in a moving tribute from ‘Citrus’ Bob Utber (of Footy Almanac fame), Geoff was described as “a champion player” who lived “under the shadow” of Gary Ablett Snr.

“The death of Geoff Ablett through the insidious MND has closed a chapter on a former Hawthorn champion,” Utber wrote.

“I have known Geoff since he was a schoolboy champion athlete and an outstanding footballer with Drouin under age teams in the West Gippsland Football League.

“Geoff, a trained primary physical education teacher, taught my children at the Pakenham Consolidated school and of course, was a hero to all the kids.”