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Sharky Pete

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Swans legend Retires

http://www.smh.com.au/afl/afl-news/b...0519-vdae.html

Brett Kirk to retire from the Sydney Swans

MICHAEL COWLEY

May 19, 2010 - 11:22AM

Swans co-captain and spiritual leader Brett Kirk is expected to announce today that he will be retiring from the club at the end of the season.

Kirk, from Albury, has been co-captain of the club since the Swans's premiership winning season in 2005.

He has played 225 games for the Swans since being recruited in the rookie draft in 1998.

Kirk was initially told by the club that he was not good enough and was sent back to Albury but he refused to accept the decision and returned to earn a contract in 1999.

Kirk won the best and fairest award at the Swans in 2005 and 2007 and was an All-Australian in 2004. He represented Australia in the International Rules series against Ireland in 2003.

http://www.sydneyswans.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/7106/newsid/94596/default.aspx

Sydney Swans co-captain Brett Kirk has announced he will retire at the end of the 2010 season.

Kirk, who has played 225 games since he came off the rookie list in 1999, said he had always played with his heart, and his heart was now telling him it was time to retire.

Widely regarded as one of the most courageous players in the game, Kirk has been co-captain since 2005, and was voted Club Champion in the 2005 premiership year, and again in 2007.

Kirk’s extraordinary work ethic, discipline and determination have come to epitomise the Sydney Swans. He has not missed a game since round 15, 2002, and has played 184 consecutive games.

Sydney Swans senior coach Paul Roos said Kirk left a legacy that would last forever.

“Brett Kirk is not only one of the greats of this football Club and the game, but he is an incredible example to everyone about what can be achieved with determination, hard work and a never-say-die attitude,’’ Roos said.

“To go from a player who not only battled to get on the Swans list, but was also almost finished as a player at the end of 2002, and then to end his career as possibly one of the top five players to ever play for the football Club is an achievement of mind over matter.

“It’s not only his legacy as a player that is extraordinary. Equally important is his enormous influence on the culture of this football club. Hopefully there will always be a little bit of Brett Kirk in the Sydney Swans Football Club,’’ Roos said.

Kirk said he had decided to announce his retirement now so that he could devote all his attention to doing his best for the team for the remainder of the season.

“I’m someone who has played with my heart, led with my heart, and this is a decision that has come from the heart,’’ Kirk said today, with his wife Hayley, and their four children at his side.

“The reason I’m announcing it now is because I started to have thoughts about it over the last week or two. I was resisting it, and it was causing me stress and pain, so I need to listen to my intuition.’’

Kirk said being involved in the 2005 premiership was the ultimate prize in a team sport, but his greatest legacy was not about on-field achievements.

“My legacy isn’t about stats or what I’ve done on the field. It’s more about the impact and significance I’ve had on the Club and people around it,’’ Kirk said.

“I’m most proud of being part of building a culture here, and helping our Club gain respect in the wider football community, and I’m proud of who I am.’’

Sydney Swans Chairman, Richard Colless, said he always told players when they started their careers that he wanted them to leave as better footballers and better people, but that most importantly the football Club would also be better for their involvement. “No-one has been a greater example of that than Brett Kirk,’’ Colless said.

"In the 136 years of the Club's existence, it's hard to believe that there would have been too many people - not just players - who have made a greater contribution to the fabric of our organisation.''

Sydney Swans Chief Executive, Andrew Ireland, said Kirk had been one of the Club’s greatest players and it was always disappointing when a player of that calibre finished their career.

“He’s been an ornament to the game, and has been in the top three in our Club championship every year since 2003,’’ Ireland said.

“There are not too many players who have had such a consistently good output over such a long period. Not only is he a fantastic player, but a fantastic person who has been very important in creating the culture at this football Club.’’

BRETT KIRK’S ACHIEVEMENTS TO DATE
Sydney Swans Club Champion, 2005 and 2007
Runner-up in Club Champion, 2003, 2004, 2006 and 2008
Sydney Swans Player of the Finals Series, 2006
Sydney Swans Co-Captain since 2005.
All-Australian, 2004
International Rules 2003, 2004
 
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oozy

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Just goes to prove footy is more about heart and desire than a any God given ability..
~Salute
 

Gil

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I'd be spew'n if my team was in a situation like especially if you have travelled from another state.

At least with league you are guaranteed a winner.
 

slide rule

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Any one else reckon the AFL may need to think about changing that rule?

No.


I like it. It's 100000000000000000000000000000000000000000x better than golden point.

I'd love to see them bring it back i the NRL. More football! There are no losers. :cheers
 
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except for the players who want a result and now have to go through everything again, you only had to realise the emotion that the players had after the game to realise they had the ****s at having to play it again.
 

gando2230

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Good for the afl cash department another 100,000
Supporters forking out to watch it again + the tv ratings.
 

slide rule

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except for the players who want a result and now have to go through everything again, you only had to realise the emotion that the players had after the game to realise they had the ****s at having to play it again.

wah wah wah.

I'd rather draw and play it again than to lose.

Playing in a Grand Final would have to be one of the highlights of your life. Why would you be so down about having to do it again?

Soak it up and enjoy being part of history.
 

gando2230

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Ablett heads for the Sun
Scott Gullan and Michael Warner
September 30, 2010 12:01AM

THE news Gary Ablett's premiership teammates had long-dreaded arrived via text message just after 9.30am.

In an SMS that required three separate attachments, Ablett confessed that he was leaving them for the riches of the Gold Coast.

"Hey boys, just wanted to let you guys know first that I'm making an announcement today," he wrote.

"After a lot of thought and consideration for many different reasons I have decided to take on a new venture at the Gold Coast footy club. It's been an absolute honour to play along side you boys - times that I'll never forget.

"Although I am going to miss each of you, I feel this is the right decision for me. Cheers, Gaz."

Tellingly, Geelong coach Mark Thompson was not among the recipients, further evidence of a strained relationship. Ablett, coaxed on throughout the season by his famous father Gary Sr, had become increasingly agitated at being played out of position in the forward line, a move some are adamant cost him a second Brownlow Medal.

But the dual premiership hero made no secret of the fact that money had been the telling factor in his decision to go.

He has easily become the game's highest paid player on a five-year deal worth an estimated $1.6 million a season, not including lucrative third-party endorsement deals.

The counter offer from Geelong was less than $900,000 a year.

"I don't shy away from the fact that the money's attractive, especially for a player at my stage of career," Ablett said. "It was a hard offer to say no to. Money is a big part of why I've moved, but at the same time it's not the only reason.

"I'm looking forward to the new challenge, it's a club starting from scratch, and that's something that appealed to me."

But Ablett, 26, insisted he only made the decision to leave on Tuesday, denying a deal was done months ago.

"I made the decision yesterday and I feel it's the right decision," Ablett said. "For those who know me, who know me well, they know that I thrive on the challenge and perform my best when faced with a new challenge.

"I gave my all for Geelong and will be forever grateful for the support of the Geelong Football Club and its many great fans.

"But now this is all about the challenge of joining a new team and a new and unique opportunity to be part of something special in football."

Shattered Cats chief executive Brian Cook later admitted the club simply couldn't match the offer.

"We've probably been blown out of the water. Our offer's probably been doubled by the Gold Coast which has made it pretty much impossible for us to keep him," the Geelong CEO said.

The blow came less than 24 hours after Thompson told the club he was burnt out and needed time to consider his future.

Geelong showed its disdain for the Ablett defection early yesterday by removing his name from the club's playing list prior to yesterday's press conference.

Mountains of club promotional material must also be altered in the coming weeks as the club comes to grips with the sudden loss of their best and most loved player.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/afl/ablett-heads-for-the-sun/story-e6frexwr-1225932007712.

A Good signs for the G.C team.
 

snowman

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as a life long collingwood fan, i hope you send me out with a premiership.
next year i will be a GWS season ticket holder.
lets go pies
 

SharkLabelSociety

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as a life long collingwood fan, i hope you send me out with a premiership.
next year i will be a GWS season ticket holder.
lets go pies

Scum. I go for Carlton myself - mostly cause I started out as a Fevola fan but didn't see the need to change teams after he got kicked to Brisbane.
 
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