TonyK
Tash Jayasinghe
CibbuanoDemons dump veterans
August 26th 2008 05:02
MELBOURNE veterans Jeff White and Adem Yze will play their final games for the club when the Demons face Richmond at the MCG on Sunday.
Yze will play his 271st AFL match for Melbourne to sit third on the club's all-time games record list – one fewer than Robbie Flower (272) and behind former skipper David Neitz (306).
White will move into seventh spot on Melbourne's games record list this weekend with 236 matches, overtaking Brett Lovett (235).
Both players will nominate for the draft, although Yze has acknowledged he had 'probably only half a percent' chance of finding a new home.
White said he felt that he still has something to offer at AFL level.
"From a personal point of view I still feel I've got some time left," he said.
"I'm not hanging my hat on getting a spot on an AFL club next year but I'll definitely put my hand up to say my mind feels good, my body feels good, I want to continue playing."
If not picked up, White and Yze will both continue playing in the VFL or in another lower-grade competition.
Yze will be remembered come as the man who nearly played the most consecutive matches ever, falling 18 short of equalling Jim Stynes' record of 244.
However, he did say the record became a distraction the closer he came to breaking it.
"Whether it was media or other people questioning your attack on the footy or whether you're putting your body on the line for a record – that actually didn't sit well with me," Yze said.
"So I had a meeting with Neale [Daniher] last year … and said: 'I don't want to play', to end that speculation. From there, it felt like a release and I could just enjoy my footy."
Both players played an integral role in helping the club reach six finalls series in nine years.
Yze will play his 271st AFL match for Melbourne to sit third on the club's all-time games record list – one fewer than Robbie Flower (272) and behind former skipper David Neitz (306).
White will move into seventh spot on Melbourne's games record list this weekend with 236 matches, overtaking Brett Lovett (235).
Both players will nominate for the draft, although Yze has acknowledged he had 'probably only half a percent' chance of finding a new home.
White said he felt that he still has something to offer at AFL level.
"From a personal point of view I still feel I've got some time left," he said.
"I'm not hanging my hat on getting a spot on an AFL club next year but I'll definitely put my hand up to say my mind feels good, my body feels good, I want to continue playing."
If not picked up, White and Yze will both continue playing in the VFL or in another lower-grade competition.
Yze will be remembered come as the man who nearly played the most consecutive matches ever, falling 18 short of equalling Jim Stynes' record of 244.
However, he did say the record became a distraction the closer he came to breaking it.
"Whether it was media or other people questioning your attack on the footy or whether you're putting your body on the line for a record – that actually didn't sit well with me," Yze said.
"So I had a meeting with Neale [Daniher] last year … and said: 'I don't want to play', to end that speculation. From there, it felt like a release and I could just enjoy my footy."
Both players played an integral role in helping the club reach six finalls series in nine years.
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