Player Retirements in season 2009

[Big Phil]

I know we still have a big finals series to come after this weekends Round 23 fixture, just thought I would start a thread to dedicate to the players that are going to hang up the boots at season's end.

There will be a few big names make the decision at the end of the season and it is poosible that names like Matty Slade, Chris and James Gowans, Ben Nelson, Justin Cicolella, Mark Passador etc etc could pull the pin after their finals campaigns are up.

Last week former Crow player and Panther skipper Jason Torney announced he will retire at the end pf 09 and now fellow team mate Mathew Smith has decided to hang up the boots, as per the article below.

http://southern-times-messenger.whereilive.com.au/sport/story/smith-follows-torney-out-the-door-at-south/

Smith follows Torney out the door at South


TOUGH NUT: Mathew Smith is retiring

SOUTH Adelaide vice-captain Mathew Smith has called an end to his SANFL career after an injury-plagued season.

The 28-year-old joined the Panthers from Box Hill in 2004 playing 93 League games.

Smith starred in South’s two finals matches in 2006, being awarded best-on-ground for the club in both games against Port and North.

He has struggled with injuries this season, including a dislocated knee suffered at training and nagging calf and hamstring strains.

The Panthers are currently in discussions with Smith about continuing on at the club in some capacity with either the seniors or the under-18s.

Smith’s retirement comes just two weeks after skipper Jason Torney announced he would not be continuing on next season.

[dedja]

Kris Massie at Norwood.

[spell_check]

Cica will play on, so I've heard, but Passador is leaving.

[JAS]

Kris Massie Retires

The Norwood Football Club would like to advise that Kris Massie announced his retirement as a player at training last night.

After 131 games in the AFL with both Carlton and Adelaide, Kris continued playing at The Parade in 2009 taking his total number of games with the Redlegs to 55.

He will play his last game this Saturday at Coopers Stadium against Central Districts.

We wish Kris all the best for his future.

Regards
JAS

[Grahaml]

With James Gowans bringing up 200 and Chris unable to until next year I can't imagine Chris letting James have that one over him for the rest of his life. Surely given they are still able to play the level that will give the motivation to go around again.

[saintal]

Shame that Smith couldn't get his body right the past 3 years. Broke an arm (i think?) early in 2007 and has had a unlucky run since.

Will certainly be remember for putting his head over the footy and his efforts in those two finals.

[Columbo]

Cica will play on, so I've heard, but Passador is leaving.

Cicca has done enough over the last month to show he certainaly still has plenty to offer at league level.

[spell_check]

Cica will play on, so I've heard, but Passador is leaving.

Cicca has done enough over the last month to show he certainaly still has plenty to offer at league level.

A full pre-season must have worked wonders! 11 votes in the Advertiser award this year, 2nd in the club to McKenzie with 16.

[EaglesFan18]

Cica will play on, so I've heard, but Passador is leaving.

Cicca has done enough over the last month to show he certainaly still has plenty to offer at league level.

Right on there. Cicca has had good last month. Deserves to stay on another year

[eaglehaslanded]

Cicais in tremendous form at the moment - one would hope he will carry on into 2010. I believe Passador is heading back to seasons end.

[CENTURION]

POSSIBLY Chris & James Gowans, Daniel Schell, Ian Callinan, Adam Switala, Richard Cochrane, Matthew Slade, Yves Sibenaler.

[Chambo100]

POSSIBLY Chris & James Gowans, Daniel Schell, Ian Callinan, Adam Switala, Richard Cochrane, Matthew Slade, Yves Sibenaler.

We can only hope.........

[G]

Adam Switala is sitting on around 190 ish games and would definately go if he had already cracked the double ton.

The backbone of Macgowan's business and a 2nd kid coming might mean too hard to keep going

[Grahaml]

Not to mention the fact that his place in the team is far from sure. Perhaps he's happy enough to have to earn his spot and play a few reserves games if needed, but hard to imagine him willing to do that too much longer.

[bullydog]

talking to Ian callinan on sunday and he told me he's going round again and so are the gowans. turns out chris needs three more games to reach 200 and gain life membership from the sanfl slade will probably retire but schell is not as old as you think and may go on.

[sjt]

talking to Ian callinan on sunday and he told me he's going round again and so are the gowans. turns out chris needs three more games to reach 200 and gain life membership from the sanfl slade will probably retire but schell is not as old as you think and may go on.

Yves was keen to go around again.
Chris and James should go on, based on continued positive contribution to the team, not on age.

[drebin]

Possibly Heath Younie for North and based on his first half form on the season I would have said yes but he has been in career best form over the latter half of the year so he may go on - especially if we can build, retain most of our list and open the cheque.

[dedja]

Considering this thread appears now to be let's conjecture about who may retire instead of who has announced their retirement, may I suggest that there will no retirements at the Bay 'cause none of them are old enough yet.

[sjt]

talking to Ian callinan on sunday and he told me he's going round again and so are the gowans. turns out chris needs three more games to reach 200 and gain life membership from the sanfl slade will probably retire but schell is not as old as you think and may go on.

Cochrane born in 81, Schell 80, Yves 78, Chris 77 and i think James 77

[doggies4eva]

talking to Ian callinan on sunday and he told me he's going round again and so are the gowans. turns out chris needs three more games to reach 200 and gain life membership from the sanfl slade will probably retire but schell is not as old as you think and may go on.

Cochrane born in 81, Schell 80, Yves 78, Chris 77 and i think James 77

Both Schell and Cochrane and currently in great form and only getting better with age so I would be disappointed if they didn't go again. The Gowan's and Slade are our only players to have played in all winning GFs and as far as I am concerned are always worth their place and will go as long as they feel motivated and their bodies are up to it.