Fremantles Peter Bell Retires Immediately

[magpie in the 80's]

http://wwos.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=593248

as will Michael Braun at the end of the season

http://wwos.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=593074

[Thiele]

Michael Braun has retired as well from West Coast

West Coast premiership midfielder Michael Braun has announced his retirement from the AFL.

Braun choked back tears today as he revealed a crippling knee injury had finally got the better of him after 12 years and 222 games for the Eagles.
The 30-year-old will attempt to play out the season but Sunday's clash against Richmond at Subiaco Oval could be his last appearance depending on how his knee responds.

Braun revealed his decision to retire had been made following an "honest and upfront" discussion with coach John Worsfold a month ago.

"Reaching this decision has been tough, the toughest decision of my life because I have loved every minute of my time at the West Coast Eagles and have worn the jumper with pride," Braun told a packed media conference.

"But I know the time has come and I know I can leave (the game) after getting every bit of energy and skill out of my body.

"I have never been the most talented or gifted player but I think I have made up for that with my work ethic, which gave me a fitness level that allowed me to run hard for four quarters and to perform my role for the team.

"Being a premiership player and a life member of this football club is two of the things I will cherish most for the rest of my life."

Braun, who has required pain-killing injections in his knee in order to play this year, said he was surprised at how quickly his knee deteriorated this season, a condition that resulted in a noticeable form lapse.

But it is by no means the first time Braun's knee has caused him grief.

In 2005, Braun missed West Coast's heartbreaking grand final loss to Sydney after injuring his knee against Adelaide in the preliminary final the week before.

However, that pain was eased somewhat when Braun played an integral part in the Eagles' 2006 premiership success.

"It does sneak up on you quick," Braun said of his impending retirement.

"The game gets faster, it gets more demanding, and being 30 years of age and after 14 operations, the mind does tell you to keep going harder and faster but the body can't keep up.

"I do want to be able to kick the footy with my kids in 10 years time."

Worsfold said Braun, who was a diamond in the rough when drafted by West Coast from country Victoria with pick No. 53 in the 1996 national draft, had set a great example at the club.

"He's had a lot of individually outstanding games throughout his whole career," Worsfold said.

"Losing him in 2005 (for the grand final) - I think people underestimate the impact that that possibly had on our team gong forward throughout that finals series."

[Dutchy]

Well done Belly, 2 time premiership player....

[Hondo]

Classic Freo ....

Let him go to NM for basically nothing and he becomes a star

Realise their mistake so give up a host of draft picks to get him back

Now he's finished and someone else presumably has some decent 23-25 year olds on their list

Not that he hasn't been a quality player for Freo - more of a comment on their persistent recruiting of established players at the expense of draft picks.

Anyway, well done on a great career all the same

[hearts on fire]

Peter Bell should have stayed at North Melbourne, he could've had a more decent career and not so depressing.

[Dutchy]

just had a look what the roos got for Bell -

Jess Sinclair - got another 3-4 years
Picks #6 & #37
#6 was Dylan Smith - delisted
#37 given to Collingwood for Ricky Olerenshaw!

[Rik E Boy]

Hey dutchy, what's with the numbers?

regards,

REB

[Hondo]

just had a look what the roos got for Bell -

Jess Sinclair - got another 3-4 years
Picks #6 & #37
#6 was Dylan Smith - delisted
#37 given to Collingwood for Ricky Olerenshaw!

If you trace the #37 draft pick it was used on Guy Richards who was delisted at the end of last year. Shows how hit & miss drafting can be. Who knows what Freo could have done with the picks that year - no 18 was Daniel Kerr, 12 Shaun Burgoyne, 20 Kane Cornes, 10 Jordan McMahon. That was also the year the Crows drafted Angwin at number 7

I guess the Dockers would say they got a club captain out of it

My main point was that they had to give up anything at all for a player who was already on their list to begin with

[Dutchy]

REB - draft picks they gave up

Id argue Sinclair has been just as good a player in the past 7-8 years as Bell was at Freo..and Sincalir still got time left

[Rik E Boy]

REB - draft picks they gave up

Id argue Sinclair has been just as good a player in the past 7-8 years as Bell was at Freo..and Sincalir still got time left

Nah, I meant in your tar.

regards,

REB

[Media Park]

just had a look what the roos got for Bell!

Just cos I love Docker bashing, the Hawks didn't go too badly in trades there...

Well done Belly...
And have a f---ing good last year brauny...

[Dutchy]

REB - draft picks they gave up

Id argue Sinclair has been just as good a player in the past 7-8 years as Bell was at Freo..and Sincalir still got time left

Nah, I meant in your tar.

regards,

REB

Was 10 last week, now 11....we have since beaten North....gotit?

[Rik E Boy]

OIC it's a Yab counter. Is that losing grand finals? nyuck nyuck.

regards,

REB