by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago
Western Bulldogs defenders Lindsay Gilbee and Ryan Hargrave have both announced they will retire at the end of the season. Both joined the Dogs in 1999 and have played 206 and 203 games respectively through Round 21. Football Manager James Fantasia had nothing but praise for the duo, acknowledging their fine contributions to the club and said both were highly regarded and admired by their teammates. Gilbee (ankle) and Hargrave (foot) have both struggled with injury this year, managing just a handful of games each.
LINDSAY GILBEE
Debut 2001
Games: 206
Goals: 119
Honors: 3rd Best and Fairest 2005; All-Australian 2006; International Rules Series 2005, 2006; pre-season Premiership side 2010.
RYAN HARGRVE
Debut 2002
Games: 203
Goals: 37
Honors: All-Australian nominee 2009; NAB AFL Rising Star nominee 2002; pre-season Premiership side 2010.
Source: Denis Bicer, Club Media Release
Magpie Chris Tarrant has announced his retirement at the end of the season. Tarrant said he felt "it was the right time" after 15 seasons. He also said he was conscious of not playing on to an extra season he would regret, "... you do see people hang on a little bit too long … and play that extra year ... they shouldn't ... end up ... in the reserves and resenting football a little bit." Tarrant debuted with the Pies in 1998 and played alongside stars Graham Wright, Gavin Crosisca, Gavin Brown, Sav Rocca, Damian Monkhorst and current Collingwood Coach Nathan Buckley. A focal point in attack, he played in the losing Grand Finals in 2002 and 2003. In 2006, he was traded to Fremantle where he distinguished himself as a defender and returned to Collingwood after 72 games out west and continued his excellent form in defense. He has struggled with injury this season, managing just eight games through Round 21. He said his focus for the remainder of the year would be Collingwood's bid for another Grand Final win.
CHRIS TARRANT
Games: 263 (COLL 191, FREM 72)
Goals: 366
Honors: All-Australian 2003, Collingwood leading goalkicker 2001-05, 2nd Collingwood Best and Fairest 2003, 3rd Fremantle Best and Fairest 2009
Source: Stephen Rielly, Club Media Release, heraldsun.com.au, afl.com.au
Veteran Adelaide defender Michael Doughty announced he would retire at the end of the season. At 33, Doughty is the oldest player on Adelaide's list and just the ninth Crow to reach 200 games. Doughty, who debuted in 2001, said it took him a few years of growing up and maturing to realize what was required to be an elite player. In 2004, he finally established himself in the team with the ability to play on a wing, as a tagging midfielder and small defender. He stepped down from the leadership group at the beginning of this year. Coach Brenton Sanderson praised Doughty as a "great club man ... who puts the team before the individual." He also praised Doughty for the mentoring role he took with the younger players. Sanderson continued "... he has quickly become a player I can rely on. He will certainly be difficult to replace.” Through Round 22, Doughty has played 227 games. He was named best club man in 2008.
Source: James O'Connell, Club Media Release
As reported last week, Melbourne's Brad Green said this would be his last season. However, he decided to bow out after the Round 22 game against Adelaide so he could farewell hometown fans at the MCG rather than end his career out west against the Fremantle Dockers.
Source: sen.com.au
Article last changed on Tuesday, September 04, 2012 - 9:50 AM EDT