Adelaide defender Daniel Talia was told he will not receive a new contract. An off-season knee injury that required surgery and a foot injury shortly after - also requiring surgery kept him sidelined for the entire season. He also suffered some setbacks during his rehabilitation.
Talia, 29, was drafted in 2009 and played 200 games. He won All-Australian selection twice and has been a stalwart in the Adelaide defense. Other honors are the Rising Star award in 2012, the club's best and fairest in 2014, and was a member of the leadership group.
After learning of the club's decision, Talia said, “It has been a privilege to represent this great club for the past 12 years and I have cherished every moment. I am disappointed because I feel like I have more years left in me ... but I understand the decision and direction the club is going. I would like to ... thank my teammates past and present, coaches, staff and all of the amazing supporters. Thank you to my wife Megan, my two beautiful children Ivy and Max, and my close family and friends for their unwavering support. I am going to take some time to consider what comes next ... ".
Coach Matthew Nicks described Talia as one of the club’s greatest defenders, adding his consistency over a lengthy period of time was a testament to his attention to detail and commitment to training and game preparation, "Having previously coached against Daniel and now seen him at close range, there is no doubt he has been one of the best key defenders in the competition over the last decade ... He has made a significant contribution to our club and he will always be a respected member of the Crows family and we wish him, his wife Megan and children Ivy and Max, the very best for the future.”
Adelaide veteran David Mackay has retired with 249 games to his name, putting him in the top ten for games played as a Crow. The versatile Mackay was drafted in 2006. Mackay, 33, started as a hard-running midfielder and wingman but later became a reliable defender. He played 19 games in 2008, his debut year, and won the club's Mark Bickley Emerging Talent Award. In 2016 he was awarded the Dr. Brian Sando OAM Trophy for his outstanding professionalism and attention to detail and in 2018 he became the 16th player to reach 200 games for the club.
Mackay said, “I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have represented the club and have always worn our jumper with pride. To all my teammates, coaches, and the staff of this great club, thank you. I am privileged to have met and worked with so many amazing people. To the Members and supporters, thank you for your passionate and unrivaled support, and playing in front of you has been an absolute thrill and honor. To my family, thank you is not enough. I will be eternally grateful for the sacrifices you have made in allowing me to chase my dream and I can’t wait to embark on the next chapter.”
Coach Matthew Nicks described Mackay as selfless, adding he was the type of player every club needs, “D-Mac’s playing career speaks for itself - 249 games in fifteen seasons - he has been durable and super-reliable for this club for a long time. It is a credit to him the way he has continually reinvented himself and improved his game, and this season he has played some of the best football of his career. His reputation off the field and everything that he brings to other areas of the club is equal to what he has achieved as a player. He is the ultimate professional when it comes to his training and preparation, he is a selfless teammate who shows care for others and is an outstanding role model for young players...".
Ed. Note: In his final game against North Melbourne, he got forward and kicked a goal late in the game
Source: Reece Homfray. Adelaide Media Release
Carlton forward Levi Casboult was advised by the club that he would not be offered a new contract. Casboult, 31, was selected in the 2010 Rookie Draft and debuted in 2012. Across 12 seasons, he was rated as one of the best contested marks (catching the ball under pressure from opponents) in the game. Perseverance and hard work saw him become a prime target in the Blues' forward line. He was the club's leading goalkicker in 2017. In 2019, he also had stints in defense and the ruck It earned him the club's Coaches Award that year. He finishes his career as a life member of the club he grew up supporting.
Finishing his career with the Blues is a memory he said he would cherish forever, “The opportunity to call Carlton home and live out my boyhood dream over the past 12 years has been incredible. To be departing the club with Life Membership and after reaching the 150-game milestone earlier this year, is something I am incredibly proud of and am honored to have been able to achieve. So many people at this football club have shown faith in me over the course of my career and I am extremely grateful for the support I have received, both internally from a staffing and player point of view, and externally from my family, friends and all Carlton members and supporters.”
Coach David Teague thanked Casboult for his contribution and acknowledged his commitment and dedication, “Levi has been Navy Blue through and through from the very first moment he stepped foot into IKON Park. He has experienced his fair share of ups and downs but his perseverance and determination to get the best out of himself and be an important player for Carlton has seen him become a revered member of the playing group. Levi leaves the club having etched his name in Carlton’s history as a Life Member and he should be extremely proud of all that he has achieved ... ".
Source: carltonfc.com.au
Beloved Essendon veteran Cale Hooker has announced that he will retire at the end of the season. Hooker, 32, advised teammates ahead of Round 23. The West Australian was drafted in 2007 and debuted as a key defender in 2008. He was moved to the forward line several years ago and has kicked 122 goals. He had an excellent season in 2014 and was rewarded with selection in the All-Australian side and won the club's best and fairest award in 2015.
Hooker said he was forever grateful to the Essendon family for his time at the club, “I couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunity the club has given me and I will leave the game at the end of the season knowing I left no stone unturned to give the club, my teammates and the fans everything I had. To have been part of something bigger than myself, something that is so important to so many people, has been such a privilege and an honor. Representing this jumper is something I will never take for granted. I love this football club and I just want to thank all my teammates, coaches, staff, volunteers, and all the members and supporters who have been with me throughout this journey.”
Coach Ben Rutten paid tribute to Hooker and thanked him for his contribution to the club, “Cale has given everything he can to the club since arriving at the end of 2007, and now it is our turn to say thank you. We’d like to congratulate Cale on his achievements throughout his career at Essendon. He has brought valuable experience and leadership particularly in recent years to this group, and he should be very proud of what he has accomplished in the red and black ... He will always be part of the Essendon family.”
Source: Alexandra Stewart, Essendon Media Release
Article last changed on Friday, September 10, 2021 - 9:48 PM EDT
