GET READY: NETFLIX RELEASES “UNDER DOG,” HIGHLY ANTICIPATED DOCUMENTARY ON GEELONG CATS LEGEND GARY ABLETT SR., SLATED FOR RELEASE ON THE STREAMING GIANT’S PLATFORM THIS COMING MARCH
Netflix has announced the global release of Under Dog, a feature-length documentary chronicling the extraordinary career of Geelong Cats icon Gary Ablett Sr., with the film set to premiere exclusively on the streaming service on March 14, 2026. The highly anticipated production delves into the life and legacy of one of Australian rules football’s most decorated figures, whose brilliance on the field stood in stark contrast to his team’s near-misses at premiership glory.
The documentary, directed by award-winning filmmaker Clara Hammond, features never-before-seen archival footage, intimate interviews with Ablett Sr., his family, former teammates, coaches, and football historians. It explores his journey from a young recruit from Moriac to becoming the face of the Geelong Football Club during one of its most challenging eras, as well as the personal sacrifices that underpinned his remarkable success.
Ablett Sr.’s list of achievements places him among the greatest players in AFL history. A dual premiership player with Hawthorn before joining Geelong in 1984, he went on to forge his legacy at Kardinia Park, claiming the Norm Smith Medal as best on ground in the Cats’ heartbreaking 1989 Grand Final loss to Hawthorn – the only time the award has been presented to a player from the losing team. He secured three Coleman Medals as the league’s leading goalkicker (1984, 1985, 1993), won the Carji Greeves Medal as Geelong’s best and fairest on five occasions, and captained the club from 1992 to 1994.
A dominant forward renowned for his freakish skills, lightning speed, and unerring accuracy in front of goal, Ablett Sr. claimed Geelong’s leading goalkicker award eight times and finished his career with 1,021 goals – ranking him seventh on the AFL’s all-time goalkicking list. His contributions were further recognised with selection in both the Geelong Cats Team of the Century and the AFL Team of the Century, cementing his status as a true legend of the game.
Despite his individual brilliance, Ablett Sr. never tasted premiership success with the Cats, reaching three Grand Finals (1989, 1992, 1994) only to fall short each time. The documentary examines how this “under dog” narrative came to define his time at Geelong, and how he transformed disappointment into a legacy of resilience that continues to inspire generations of Cats supporters.
“Gary Ablett Sr. embodied the fighting spirit of Geelong during a period when success seemed just out of reach,” said Hammond. “Under Dog celebrates not just his incredible talent, but his unwavering commitment to the club and his teammates, even when victory remained elusive.”
Netflix will host a special premiere screening at Geelong’s Kardinia Park on March 10, with Ablett Sr. and key figures from the film in attendance, before the documentary launches worldwide four days later.
