Lauren Phillips shares a touching tribute to her ex-boyfriend Gary Ablett as he retires from AFL

‘A wonderful footballer’: Lauren Phillips shares a touching tribute to her ex-boyfriend Gary Ablett as the Geelong Cats legend retires from AFL

Lauren Phillips has shared a sweet tribute to her ex-boyfriend Geelong Cats star Gary Ablett as he retired from the AFL.

The 39-year-old shared a photo of the sports star walking through a guard of honour after playing his final match on Saturday.

‘A wonderful footballer. An even better human. Well done Gaz,’ Lauren captioned the Instagram post.

‘A wonderful footballer’: Lauren Phillips (pictured) has shared a touching tribute to her ex-boyfriend Gary Ablett as the Geelong Cats legend retired from AFL on Saturday

The sports star and Lauren split in September 2012 after dating for almost a decade.

Lauren then began dating Lachlan Spark, and the couple married in 2017 after six years together.

In December 2018, Lauren announced her split from her husband after just one year of marriage.

It’s understood the couple’s marriage was in trouble soon after their fairytale wedding.

'Well done': She shared a photo of the Geelong Cats star walking through a guard of honour after playing his final match

‘Well done’: She shared a photo of the Geelong Cats star walking through a guard of honour after playing his final match

A source told Daily Mail Australia at the time, that Lauren and Lachlan ‘started a trial separation in February to March’, just two months after their nuptials.

The insider claimed there had been a ‘breach of trust’ – that led to the trial separation and, ultimately, the break-up.

Meanwhile, Gary started dating Jordan Papalia in 2013 and the couple wed in a lavish ceremony on a private estate in Victoria three years later.

Last year, the couple welcomed their son Levi Gary Ablett, who was diagnosed with a degenerative condition.

History: Gary and Lauren split in September 2012 after dating for almost a decade. Pictured in 2011

History: Gary and Lauren split in September 2012 after dating for almost a decade. Pictured in 2011

Romance: Lauren then began dating Lachlan Spark at the end of 2012, and the couple married in 2017 after six years. In 2018, Lauren announced her split from her husband after just one year of marriage

Romance: Lauren then began dating Lachlan Spark at the end of 2012, and the couple married in 2017 after six years. In 2018, Lauren announced her split from her husband after just one year of marriage

Meanwhile, Gary was clapped out of the Gabba in Brisbane on Saturday, closing the door on his 357-game AFL career.

Gary wowed fans with his on-field skills when he made his AFL debut as a baby-faced 18-year-old in 2002.

He won two premierships with Cats in 2007 and 2009 before he headed north for a fresh start with the Gold Coast Suns when they joined the AFL in 2011.

He spent eight seasons with the Suns before returning home in late 2017 following the tragic loss of his sister Natasha. 

Family: Meanwhile, Gary started dating Jordan Papalia in 2013 and the couple wed in a lavish ceremony on a private estate in Victoria three years later. Pictured with their son Levi

Family: Meanwhile, Gary started dating Jordan Papalia in 2013 and the couple wed in a lavish ceremony on a private estate in Victoria three years later. Pictured with their son Levi