South's Jason Torney to retire at season's end

[Big Phil]

From the Messenger online section...


http://hills-and-valley-messenger.whereilive.com.au/sport/story/panthers-skipper-hanging-up-the-boots/

Panther skipper hanging up the boots



SOUTH Adelaide captain Jason Torney has announced he will retire at the end of the season.

The 32-year-old, who rejoined the Panthers last season after 13 years in the AFL with Richmond and Adelaide, will step down to focus on pursuing a coaching career.

In a wide-ranging interview with the Southern Times Messenger Torney:

- Put his hand up for an assistant coaching position at AFL level next season;

- Nominated Panthers full-forward Ben Warren as his preferred successor as South captain; and,

- Revealed he had played under duress for several weeks during the middle of the season after breaking his ribs in South’s Round Six clash with Glenelg.

Torney said he made the decision to step down after South’s 88-point loss to West Adelaide two weeks ago.

``I just thought it was time to give up playing football and I did something else I suppose. It’s been about 16 years and it’s been pretty full on,’’ he said.

``I still love playing footy, I love playing footy down at South, there’s no problems there.

``But when you come down a level it’s hard to maintain the same passion and commitment for the game.

``We’re looking to rebuild the footy club and personally I only had a couple of years left so I wanted things to happen a little bit quicker, and no doubt our supporters want it to happen a bit quicker, but the club has taken some really big steps forward this season and I believe things will only get better.’’

Torney said he would love to coach in the AFL and was open to moving interstate.

``I’d love to do that I think that’s something I could step in to.

``I think if you’re really serious about it you’d be looking everywhere. But there’s a lot of people out there looking.

``I’ve enjoyed coaching as an assistant under Clay. Coaching was something I’d never really looked seriously at until last year.’’

He said he was open to staying involved at South, where he has served the dual role of skipper and assistant coach for the past two seasons, if an opportunity in the AFL didn’t eventuate.

``It’s up to the guys down there as to the way they go about the coaching positions next season.

``Sambo will work out who he wants along side him. I’m more than happy to stay involved in the footy club. I just want to further develop my coaching next year.’’

Torney has also worked in the media this year, presenting AFL games on television and commentating on radio.

``I’ve done a few different things, I’ve kept involved with the AFL with a bit of TV and a bit of radio. I enjoy the presenting and commentating but once again it’s about opportunity.’’

Torney said Warren had impressed him with his leadership ability this season and would be a good choice to replace him as captain.

``We’ve got a few guys. (Vice-captain) Craig Parry has done a fair bit of that role, Matty Smith is another, but Ben Warren has really developed as a leader this year, he’d be my number one candidate.

``I think Dylan Williams would be an outsider, he’s certainly stepped up this year and could be considered for a leadership role and probably Mitch Sandery, a new guy to the club who has impressed this season.’’

Torney plays his 50th game for the Panthers this weekend against Central District at Elizabeth on Saturday.

He said he was hopeful of finishing off the season strongly.

``I’ve had more injuries this year than I’ve ever had. I broke my ribs in the middle of the year and after I came back from that I felt a bit heavier than normal. It’s only the past two months I’ve got back to full fitness.’’

[Aerie]

Well done Torney. Very unlucky to be delisted by the Crows, but great of him to play a couple of years for his SANFL club. Thought he has played pretty well for South the few times I've seen him as well.

[CK]

Congratulations on a great career at both SANFL and AFL level. Excellent ambassador for the club and should be proud of what he has achieved with football. Suspect there is a long career beckoning for whichever path he chooses, coaching or media.

[EAGLES]

with sambo being a dead man walking this is very convenient

[CUTTERMAN]

sad to hear, thought he was fantastic for adelaide, he became one of my favourite players to watch. Good luck in life Torns.

[Sojourner]

Sad to see him go yet I did suspect from the begining of this year that it would be his last at the club in a playing capacity. His shoes will be hard to fill on the list yet I very much wish him well for his future career be that coaching or media based! I do also hope he stays involved at the club as he is one of the shining lights at the club as far as professionalism goes and he will be sorely missed by many of the membership one might think!

[CENTURION]

just what South needed.

[Columbo]

Having seen Jason play on the weekend im not shocked to read this, towards the end of the game he looked like he'd had just about enough of it, wonder if he may have gone around again if the depth was a bit greater at South. Like others have said felt he was a bit stiff to get delisted from the Crows when he did, always seemed to work his guts out for his teams. Have seen him on CH 7 footy some sunday arvo's this year and he seems quite confident with that if coaching doesnt present straight up.

[Jackal]

Most football fans have admired the way Torney has gone about his footy and most Eagle fans will agree with this. Well done in sticking to his original club in the SANFL when it would have been easier to join a finals bound club. It is a pity that in most cases the players coming out of the AFL are physically over the hill when they get back to SANFL and despite their best efforts they are rarely the same players. Eagles supporters have mentioned Torney as a good type to coach our club, reading the article it suggests he has set his sights higher unfortunately...and we don't want a 1 or 2 year coach.

[klaan]

I agree Columbo. Watching him on the weekend I thought he looked like a player who was over it.

Interesting though, having gone to school with Torns and Sambo the reception they got from a certain Eagles official during the reserves who also went to school with us.............. Put it this way, it will not surprise me at all if Torney ends up at the Eagles.

Funny on the Honor thread though, remembering the Eagles CEO there is no way that Honor will get that job after his comments on Clay.

[whufc]

IMHO very good footballer, always hard and FAIR at the ball. Probably wasn't the most skilled but more than made up for that with hunger, passion, hardness and a never say die attitude.

Would have loved to see him in a red, white and blue guernsey but obviously that would never happen as the bloke was far to loyal, which i believe was his greatest assest. I don't think anyone could ever question whether he was giving his 100% for the SAFC.

Congratulations on a very good career.

Thats my 2 cents anyway.

[Bluedemon]

stepping down to take over from clay next year.

[panthers 2008]

Sad to see Jason retire and I hope he remains in a coaching capacity at the club!
I hope the club makes a strong attempt to keep him their!
I feel sorry for him he has had no success with south,as he could have easily played with a more successful club along brighton road.
Congratulations on a great football career and all the best for the future.

[saintal]

I would also like to reiterate what has already been posted. Fair to say that Jason was a favourite among the South faithful, a player who gave 100% every week and who personifies loyalty to a club. Was always among our best when he came back to South when being omitted from the crows (2005/6 era I think). Sad to see him struggle through such a horror year for the club and there were certainly signs a couple of weeks back against the Bloods that he’d had enough.

The best-a-field performance he put in back in Round 1 last year when we upset the Bays will stand out for mine as one of his best games for the club.

Hopefully the club can retain him in some capacity.

[darley16]

Agree with you panthers2008, wonderful footballer and even better bloke. I see a really good coaching team in Jason & Clay, both AFL experienced, both South boys, both good mates. The club should be addressing keeping Jason at the club plus once the kpi's set by the club for Clay are finalised appoint both these champs pronto.