Gerrard Bennett retires from SANFL and The Panthers

[Big Phil]

Just listening to the 5RPH show now and they have broke the news that Gerrard Bennett has announced his retirement from the South Adelaide Football Club and the SANFL effective this week.

They didn't give a reason but speculated it may be due to injuries. Nothing has been reported elsewhere in other media outlets about any injury at all to the long sleeve number 4 so not really sure of the reasoning behind his decision ???

Might be work opportunities interstate, the pull to go back home (from NSW isn't he ?) or his body might be no good anymore, although still only 29 ???

Any South fans shed any further light on this breaking news ???

Anyway, if true, well done Gerrard on a pretty good career in the SANFL, just over 100 games for the Panthers...

[Big Phil]

Zac Milbank just shed light on Gerrard's retirement on the 5RPH teams show, on now....

Basically said that Benno has his own cleaning business and is really busy, not being able to keep up with demand for training committments, thus deciding to retire. Zac said the Advertiser has an article on him in tomorrows paper so should divulge more then...

Interesting point Zac made was that Gerrard amazingly played 113 STRAIGHT games since coming to the club from Sydney Swans Reserves...

Congratulations on a good career Gerrard, all the best in retirement...

[spell_check]

Couldn't be due to injuries, but I'll bet that the AFL will be happy in seeing the tight salary cap work its wonders to keep the standard down again.

[zipzap]

Sad to hear, always thought he gave his all for South even when things were very grim on field

[westozfalcon]

I'm very sorry to see him go. I always thought he was a linchpin of our defence.

I wonder if the recent coaching fiasco was a factor in his decision to quit. If it was I could hardly blame him!

[prowling panther]

Did the media also get the South Reserves team placing, Bennett was selected at Centre Half back for the two's, so there in lies the biggest part of the story.

Without doubt Gerrard has held the backlines together over the last few years, against overwhelming odds each week and against some good players to boot, and we all know that no player can consistantly come out on top each week, but Benno always made his opponent work hard to win out on the day, He did have bad days as well, but you could never say that he didnt give 100% for the South jumper once he stepped onto the field. He has been used in attack to give a focal point up forward and many, many times been asked to give us drive from the centre bounces. He has served the Club well and has deserved to have more success with South than he has had, all the passionate South supporters will be saddened when they eat their Weeties tomorrow morning, and we wish him well in the future.
Guess what, tomorrow is another day, the sun will still shine, the wind will blow away the clouds, and life will go on, another young up and coming lad will get his chance to show his worth, and the Club will live to fight another day.

[saintal]

What?!?!

[prowling panther]

True Saintal, I heard tonight when I was at the Club, unless of course he can be talked out of it in the next couple of days.

[mighty_tiger_79]

thats a shock

good news for opposition, but bad news for SA and SANFL in general

[darley16]

For those REALLY interested go to web-site safc.com.au there is nothing sinister about this, simply Gerrard has a growing business and his time to prepare and train for SANFL footy is being compromised. Easily my favourite South player, never played a bad game always committed his body to the contest and conrtributed off the ground to make him a great Southie. Will be missed and thanks for making this old Southie memories enjoyable while watching the mighty Gerrard play wonderful footy.

[JK]

Been a great servant of both the SAFC and SANFL, and a thorn in my clubs side plenty of times ... Sorry to see him go.

[Macca19]

One of those ultra consistent defenders that did his job every week. South will miss him.

[scott]

Did the media also get the South Reserves team placing, Bennett was selected at Centre Half back for the two's, so there in lies the biggest part of the story.

Without doubt Gerrard has held the backlines together over the last few years, against overwhelming odds each week and against some good players to boot, and we all know that no player can consistantly come out on top each week, but Benno always made his opponent work hard to win out on the day, He did have bad days as well, but you could never say that he didnt give 100% for the South jumper once he stepped onto the field. He has been used in attack to give a focal point up forward and many, many times been asked to give us drive from the centre bounces. He has served the Club well and has deserved to have more success with South than he has had, all the passionate South supporters will be saddened when they eat their Weeties tomorrow morning, and we wish him well in the future.
Guess what, tomorrow is another day, the sun will still shine, the wind will blow away the clouds, and life will go on, another young up and coming lad will get his chance to show his worth, and the Club will live to fight another day.

Well said. Will be missed, all the best and thanks to him!

[Cambridge Clarrie]

I agree with the sentiments of the other posts.

Bennett was a real trier and was one of the more consistent members of the South Adelaide team over the years. It's a shame he couldn't have experienced more success over his career.

What effect will his departure have on the fake tan industry in SA???

All the best Gerrard.

[TigerBoss]

Bennett was one of those players I thought of every time the Bays were coming up against South...he was rock solid down back, and silky smooth with his skills.

He won't be missed...because he was too **** good.

So who now will takeover the mantle of worst haircut in the league?

[mighty_tiger_79]

obviously SA arent paying enough and he's cleaning up outside of footy!

[Big Phil]

obviously SA arent paying enough and he's cleaning up outside of footy!

Boom boom, nice one mighty-tiger-79

[mighty_tiger_79]

obviously SA arent paying enough and he's cleaning up outside of footy!

Boom boom, nice one mighty-tiger-79

someone had to say it

[Wedgie]

A good player who cops heaps and gives it back to the crowd. A real character, I wish him all the best on his future ventures.

[Sojourner]

Not quite the result I was hoping for half way through the season, yet he might as well be open and honest about where he stands with the club, good luck to him, will be interesting to see if he suits up in the SFL or other league and which team he goes with!