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AFL star explains why he unliked Folau's social media post

Israel Folau Photo: Andrew Aylett

Geelong’s Gary Ablett Jnr has explained why he unliked Israel Folau’s controversial post, with the AFL star saying he had not meant to cause offence.

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Ablett posted a Biblical quote on Instagram for Easter and with it he gave an explanation for why he liked and unliked Folau’s post.

AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan has said Ablett and Carlton’s Matthew Kennedy were spoken to by their clubs for liking the post and that they then unliked it.

Rugby Australia has terminated Folau’s contract for the post, but he will challenge the decision at a code of conduct hearing.

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Folau is in trouble for sharing the post that said hell awaited ““drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists and idolators”.

The post added that they should repent as only Jesus saves.

Ablett, who is also deeply religious, marked Easter Saturday by sharing the well-known New Testament quote: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

The Cats star added on the post that coverage of the Folau controversy had saddened him and his family.

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“I want to make it clear that I love ALL people regardless of race, religion, gender or sexuality,” Ablett posted.

“I have always admired how strong Izzy is in his faith, it is not easy to share faith in the public sphere, and this is why I initially ‘liked’ his post.

“I understand that liking this post appeared offensive and this is why I chose to remove my ‘like’ from the post.”

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M
MA 3 hours ago
How the four-team format will help the Wallabies defeat the Lions

In regards to Mack Hansen, Tuipoloto and others who talent wasnt 'seen'..

If we look at acting, soccer and cricket as examples, Hugh Jackman, the Heminsworths in acting; Keith Urban in Nashville, Mike Hussey and various cricketers who played in UK and made the Australian team; and many soccer players playing overseas.


My opinion is that perhaps the ' 'potential' or latent talent is there, but it's just below the surface.


ANd that decision, as made by Tane Edmed, Noah, Will Skelton to go overseas is the catalyst to activate the latent and bring it to the surface.


Based on my personal experience of leaving Oz and spending 14 months o/s, I was fully away from home and all usual support systems and past memories that reminded me of the past.


Ooverseas, they weren't there. I had t o survive, I could invent myself as who I wanted, and there was no one to blame but me.


It bought me alive, focused my efforts towards what I wanted and people largely accepted me for who I was and how I turned up.


So my suggestion is to make overseas scholarships for younger players and older too so they can benefit from the value offered by overseas coaching acumen, established systems, higher intensity competition which like the pressure that turns coal into diamonds, can produce more Skeltons, Arnold's, Kellaways and the like.


After the Lion's tour say, create 20 x $10,000 scholarships for players to travel and play overseas.


Set up a HECS style arrangement if necessary to recycle these funds ongoingly.


Ooverseas travel, like parenthood or difficult life situations brings out people's physical and emotional strengths in my own experiences, let's use it in rugby.

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