Footballer farewelled

FAMILY and friends packed the Drouin Anglican Church last Friday to farewell Ryan Ablett, the son of Casey mayor Geoff Ablett.
The 27-year-old footballer died on Saturday 28 March from what an autopsy revealed to be a serious heart condition.
In a statement issued to media from the family ofRyan Ablett, they said theyhad been overwhelmed and heartened by the many messages of support received from friends and people in the community.
“Ryan Ablett passed away in his sleep. The autopsy results showed that he had a serious heart condition which he may have carried for some time, but of which we were all unaware,” the family said.
“Up until last Saturday, Ryan had been undertakinghis own strenuous training regime for his football and thought that recent boutsof extreme tiredness were due to this heavy workload.
“Unfortunately, this was not the case and it appears that Ryan’s dedication and passion for his footy may have contributed to exacerbating his heart condition.”
Ryan will be sorely missed by his family, father Geoff, mother Heather, brother Jake and sister Cassandra, as well as many other family members and an enormous circle of friends.