by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago
West Coast Eagle midfielder Daniel Kerr has retired. Kerr, a veteran of 220 games, managed just ten games in 2013 due to a knee injury and other injures had restricted him over the past several seasons. Kerr debuted in 2001. He won the club's Rookie of the Year award as well as a Rising Star nomination. He placed second in the club's 2002 Best and Fairest count and played in the International Rules series that same year. In 2005, he ran second in the Brownlow Medal and was a member of the 2006 Premiership team.
West Coast operations manager Craig Vozzo said Kerr had distinguished himself throughout his career and said the club was proud of what Kerr had done as a player, becoming an elite midfielder and setting a high standard for younger teammates. Kerr said it had been a difficult decision but he realized that his best football was behind him and the time was right to step aside for the next generation.
Source: Anna Carew-Reid, Club Media Release
Brisbane champion Simon Black announced his retirement in mid-October after having post-season surgery on his groins and knees. Black said he still loved the game but was not 100% sure his body could stand the demands of another season. Black, the most decorated player in Lions' history, missed eight of the last nine games of the 2013 season due to injury. The club has offered him a job as an assistant coach.
Newly appointed Lions' coach Justin Leppitsch said it was sad to farewell a club great and praised Black's dedication and loyalty. Operations manager Dean Warren said Black's legacy would live on through future generations,“He is one of the most respected players in the game and has played a considerable part in the growth and development of the game here in Queensland. Simon is a champion on and off the field."
Black debuted for the Lions in 1999 and quickly established himself as an elite midfielder with excellent hand and foot skills. He became a fan favorite and one of the most respected players in the league. He was one of the "fab four" alongside Michael Voss, Nigel Lappin and Jason Akermanis. The quartet helped propel the Lions to their three consecutive premierships.
SIMON BLACK
Games: 322
Goals: 171
AFL Awards
AFL Rising Star Nomination 1999
3rd AFL Rising Star Award 1999
All-Australian 2001, 2002, 2004
Brownlow Medal 2002
Norm Smith Medal 2003
Brownlow Medal Runner-Up 2007, 2008
All Australian Preliminary Squad 2008
AFL Life Member 2011
Club Awards
Lions Best First Year Player 1998
Lions Rookie of the Year 1999
Lions Attitude Barometer Award 1999, 2002, 2003
Lions Premiership Player 2001, 2002, 2003
Lions Club Champion 2001, 2002, 2006
Lions Club Champion Runner-Up 2003, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
3rd Lions Club Champion 2004
Lions Best Midfielder 2006, 2007, 2008
Lions Team of the Decade Member 2006
Lions Co-Captain 2007-2008
Lions Members Player of the Year 2007, 2011
Lions Life Member 2007
Lions Vice-Captain 2009, 2010
Lions Players' Player of the Year 2009, 2010, 2011
Other Awards
The Courier Mail Player of the Year 2001, 2002, 2008, 2009
International Rules Series 2001
Sands of Gallipoli Medal 2008, 2009, 2010
Marcus Ashcroft Medal 2011
Source: Sam Lord, Brisbane Media Release
Article last changed on Tuesday, January 14, 2014 - 5:11 PM EST
