BROWNLOW Medallist Gary Ablett said he couldn't help but feel relieved after triumphing in Monday night's count at Crown Palladium.
Ablett, 25, said he was rapt to finally win the coveted prize after being named favourite to claim the medal for the past three years.
"There's relief in a way. As I said before, I felt the media had built up the pressure and the favouritism over time, and it gets tough at times to shut it out," he said, directly after winning the medal.
"I think that's the biggest relief.
"It's a bit surreal in a way. I'll get back to my room and I'll sit down with my family and friends and think about it a bit more then."
Ablett said he entered Monday night's count with less trepidation than he had in both 2007 and 2008.
"In a way, I was probably a little bit less nervous this time," he said. "I had learned to shut it out better, and to shut out the expectations because you can't control what's going to happen.
"I just wanted to come along to enjoy the night, and I was lucky enough to poll enough votes to win, which was fantastic."
The young Cat said he didn't expect the win to change the way he approached his football, or for it to affect his life as a whole.
"I'm a pretty relaxed person. I think I handle pressure quite well," he said.
"I balance my footy and my life pretty well, so I don't think there will be anything too different.
"I'll whack it away in the cupboard and concentrate on this week."
Former Essendon player Tim Watson recently claimed Ablett was playing "selfish football", and was more concerned about picking up cheap possessions than dedicating himself to the team.
Ablett admitted he was "a little bit" affected by the critique, but said he felt he handled the situation well.
"You try not to read the media too much. You get pumped up one week and then you get put down the next," he said.
"People are always going to have their opinions and have their say on things, and it doesn't faze me too much.
"I enjoy playing footy, and I love getting out on the field and nothing that anyone says is going to stop that."
Ablett said the support of his father, former Geelong champion Gary Senior, had been invaluable throughout the duration of his eight-year stint with the Cats.
He also said it was pleasing to achieve something his decorated dad was unable to across his 14-year playing career.
"As I said on the stage, at least I can say there's something I've done that he hasn't done, and I'm sure I'll give him a call after this and it will be great to talk to him," he said.
"He'll be very happy for me. He's away in Queensland at the moment, and he just said to enjoy myself and to have fun and it's not everything and that there's more to life than awards, and to just enjoy myself and relax.
"He's always been so supportive of my football, and he always tells me he loves me no matter what I do and that football is just a game and to enjoy it while it's there."
