When Abley moved to Adelaide it looked as if he would be playing for Glenelg (as his younger brother Kevin did), as the area he planned on residing in was part of Glenelg's recruiting zone. Port Adelaide officials, at the suggestion of Bob McLean, hastily arranged accommodation in Port's zone in the hope of acquiring his services. Abley debuted for Port Adelaide in 1950.
Port Adelaide (1950–1961)
A fullback, Abley first played in that position for Port in a "Challenge match" in Broken Hill at the end of his debut season and after impressing was kept there for the remainder of his career. He was a member of the famed Port team which won six premierships in succession from 1954 to 1959, an Australian record.
He has the habit of worry that makes for perfect concentration, sure-footedness (never a reckless throw for the ball), and the safest, most relaxed mark in the business.
Abley was a regular South Australian interstate representative and played a total of 23 games for his state. On three occasions Abley was selected as an All-Australian for his performances at the carnivals, in 1956, 1958 and 1961.
In 1959, Abley was named as a life member of the Port Adelaide Football Club because of his talent, his warmth off the field and being one of only six players to play in all of Port Adelaide's premierships in the 1950s (1951, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958 and 1959).
Personal life
Abley died on 19 August 2011, aged 81, after a short illness.
In 2001 Abley was named as the fullback in Port Adelaide's official "Greatest Team", taking into account all players to have represented the club since 1870.
Western Australia 11.12 (78) defeated South Australia 7.18 (60), at South Melbourne Cricket Ground , 2 July 1958, crowd: 4,500 Victoria (VFL) 25.17 (167) defeated South Australia 7.7 (49), at Melbourne Cricket Ground , 5 July 1958, crowd: 33,063 Tasmania 11.18 (84) defeated South Australia 11.16 (82), at Melbourne Cricket Ground , 7 July 1958, crowd: 2,760 South Australia 16.15 (111) defeated Victoria (VFA) 5.13 (43), at South Melbourne Cricket Ground , 11 July 1958, crowd: 1,750