AFL Opinion - St Kilda Saints

ST KILDA veteran defender Max Hudghton has called it quits after 13 seasons of AFL football.

Hudghton, who was left out of the team for Saturday's heartbreaking 12-point Grand Final loss to Geelong, managed just seven appearances this season to finish with 234 games to his name.

The 33-year-old confirmed his retirement at the club's post-grand final family day function at Etihad Stadium.

"I think it's fitting that I announce my retirement today," Hudghton told thousands of supporters.

"I haven't formally even spoken to the boys, but I thought it was a great opportunity to get up here and thank all of the fans for the fantastic support that you've given me over many, many years."

Hudghton was a member of St Kilda's 1997 losing grand final team and was unable to force his way into the side for the this year's finals series with coach Ross Lyon preferring Zac Dawson at full-back.

But Hudghton said he leaves the game with no regrets.

"At the end of the day, I've had an amazing journey with you guys," he said.

"Football and the St Kilda Football Club have just been unbelievable and the club is always bigger than the individual."

"It is an amazing result from where I've come from and I can walk away really proud that I've been at St Kilda Football Club all my career."

Vote

Add Comments

[ Link ]

Posted By: TonyK - Category: AFL Opinion, St Kilda Saints

Email this Post to a Friend

Kosi accepts one-match ban

July 22nd 2008 01:45

ST KILDA utility Justin Koschitzke will miss his side's clash against West Coast at Subiaco Oval on Saturday afternoon after accepting a one-match ban for striking Hawthorn midfielder Michael Osborne.

Koschitzke's second-quarter clash with Osborne during the Saints' stunning come-from-behind win over the third-placed Hawks at Telstra Dome on Saturday night was ruled as reckless conduct, low impact and high contact.

The charge was worth just 125 points meaning Koschitzke could have escaped with a reprimand by pleading guilty but his points tally rose to 206.25 points because of his past record, which equates to a two-match ban.

But because he entered an early guilty plea the points tally dropped to just 154.69 points

Koschitzke's teammate Aaron Fiora has accepted a reprimand and 40 points towards his future record for striking Osborne during the second quarter while Essendon's Jobe Watson and Sydney's Jarrad McVeigh have accepted $1950 fines for making negligent contact with field umpires.