TonyK
CibbuanoHarley hangs up boots
October 22nd 2009 02:39
TWO-TIME Geelong premiership captain Tom Harley has announced his retirement from AFL football.
The 31-year-old said his battle-weary could no longer meet the demands of the modern game.
"I physically can't meet the requirements to play, to see out a season, a full season in the AFL," Harley said.
"Over the journey I think I've had five knee operations and when I first came (to Geelong) I was not in the best physical shape and to be able to hang on for 11 years and have the career that I've had is something that I'm super proud of."
Harley, who got married to Sydney-based publisher Felicity Percival two weeks ago, has been linked to a job at the new western Sydney team which is scheduled to enter the AFL in 2012 but he said he had no concrete plans at this stage.
"It's been a big couple of weeks with the football season winding up and my marriage and I just want to sit back and smell the roses for a bit," he said.
"There are certainly some opportunities and I would love to stay involved in footy in some capacity."
Despite falling two games short of his 200th game after managing just 14 appearances in 2009, Harley said he was leaving the game with no regrets.
"That's my lot, I had my chance to play 200 games this season and didn't get there," Harley said.
"It's game, set and match for me with the Geelong footy club as a player and I couldn't leave more content with my career at the club, where the club is right now and where the club's going in the future."
Originally drafted by Port Adelaide, Harley was traded to Geelong at the end of the 1998 season after just one game for the Power.
Harley took over as captain after the tumultous 2006 season and the club never looked back, winning 49 of 56 games under his captaincy and playing in three grand finals.
The Cats are yet to name Harley's replacement but Cameron Ling is believed to be the favourite to be named captain.
The 31-year-old said his battle-weary could no longer meet the demands of the modern game.
"I physically can't meet the requirements to play, to see out a season, a full season in the AFL," Harley said.
"Over the journey I think I've had five knee operations and when I first came (to Geelong) I was not in the best physical shape and to be able to hang on for 11 years and have the career that I've had is something that I'm super proud of."
Harley, who got married to Sydney-based publisher Felicity Percival two weeks ago, has been linked to a job at the new western Sydney team which is scheduled to enter the AFL in 2012 but he said he had no concrete plans at this stage.
"It's been a big couple of weeks with the football season winding up and my marriage and I just want to sit back and smell the roses for a bit," he said.
"There are certainly some opportunities and I would love to stay involved in footy in some capacity."
Despite falling two games short of his 200th game after managing just 14 appearances in 2009, Harley said he was leaving the game with no regrets.
"That's my lot, I had my chance to play 200 games this season and didn't get there," Harley said.
"It's game, set and match for me with the Geelong footy club as a player and I couldn't leave more content with my career at the club, where the club is right now and where the club's going in the future."
Originally drafted by Port Adelaide, Harley was traded to Geelong at the end of the 1998 season after just one game for the Power.
Harley took over as captain after the tumultous 2006 season and the club never looked back, winning 49 of 56 games under his captaincy and playing in three grand finals.
The Cats are yet to name Harley's replacement but Cameron Ling is believed to be the favourite to be named captain.
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