David Neitz retires

[mighty_tiger_79]

from adelaidenow

MELBOURNE skipper David Neitz has announced his retirement from football, effective immediately.

A neck injury has brought about a premature end to his decorated career, with the Dees skipper being told that it was not possible for him to play football this year.

Neitz, who has not played since he suffered a neck injury in the round-five game against Carlton, said the surgeons' advice had helped him make the decision to retire "quite easily".

“It's not the fairy tale I would have like and hope for and dreamed of," Neitz said.

The Demons' games record holder told a media conference he had seen two neurosurgeons, one of whom recommended surgery to repair a ruptured disc while the other advised Neitz to stop playing football.

"One suggested I should have surgery on a ruptured disc… the other suggested I not have the surgery and not play football and hopefully get better. Either option means I’m unable to play football this year," he said,

The champion full forward reflected on a career that has seen him play 306 AFL games and break just about every Melbourne Football Club record.

"It’s been a great journey … It’s a great privilege to play AFL footy and I’ve been here at the club for 19 years. I walked in the door as a 15-year-old and walked out as a 33-year-old. The learning that’s taken place in that time, in the Melbourne footy club environment and the AFL environment has been immense.

"The challenges that are thrown your way and the questions you have to ask yourself to be able to perform at the elite level for such a long time are immense. You have to improve yourself and find ways to get better and search in yourself to give something more … to have been a part of that is huge."

Neitz holds the club records for most games and most goals.

Factbox on Melbourne captain David Neitz.

DOB: 22-1-1975

Recruited from: Parkmore (Vic)

Debut: Round one 1993

Games: 306 (club record)

Goals: 631 (club record)

Finals: 13 (27 goals)

Captaincy: 175 games (club record) from 1998. Full-time captain since 2000

Honours: Best and fairest 2002, runner-up 1995 and 2001, All-Australian 1995 and 2002, Coleman Medal 2002, Melbourne leading goal kicker 1996-97, 1999, 2002-04, 2006.

[Booney]

Good honest player who would be one of a few remaining at each club who would bleed the colour of his jumper.

Melbourne Fc 150 yrs old this year,and Neitz,just last year became their first ever 300 gamer....? Strange statistic I would think.WCE,Brisbane and Adelaide would have a couple at least and they are only 20 or so years old...

[hearts on fire]

Good honest player who would be one of a few remaining at each club who would bleed the colour of his jumper.

Melbourne Fc 150 yrs old this year,and Neitz,just last year became their first ever 300 gamer....? Strange statistic I would think.WCE,Brisbane and Adelaide would have a couple at least and they are only 20 or so years old...

He was an awesome player at his prime and would be in Melbourne's top ten of all time.

Well done David Neitz, a true champion!

So he would bleed red?

[Thiele]

Well to David a Champion of the Melbourne Football club

[Mr66]

So he would bleed red?

Only through his legs.

[Punk Rooster]

So he would bleed red?

Melbourne are also "blue-bloods"

[Rik E Boy]

Well done on a fantastic career Neita. To say he was only a 'honest' footballer is tending to remember him by his last few injury interupted seasons rather than the solid performer he was in the late nineties and early noughties. Not quite a Carey but a bit better than just 'honest' IMO. A genuine leader who stood tall amongst his team mates and a player who could hold down a key position up forward or down back, David Neitz will always have the respect of one and all at the Melbourne Football Club.

Well done David Neitz.

regards,

REB

[JK]

Well said REBerta

[Rik E Boy]

Well said REBerta

Can we have some ******* respect we're at a ******* funeral!



regards,

Mrs Williams

[JK]

LMAO

[Brock Landers]

A quality career from a quality bloke.