TonyK
CibbuanoSkipworth calls it quits
October 14th 2009 02:33
ESSENDON utility Hayden Skipworth has announced his retirement from AFL football.
Skipworth played 44 games for Adelaide before being delisted at the end of 2006.
He joined the Bombers' VFL affiliate Bendigo in 2007 but suffered a serious knee injury early in the season.
However, Skipworth bounced back to win Bendigo's best-and-fairest award the following year which prompted the Dons to take him with pick three in the 2008 pre-season draft.
But the 26-year-old said his body was no longer able to cope with the rigours of the modern game.
"Unfortunately my body is struggling to cope with the AFL workload and I wasn't able to play the sort of footy I wanted to play, especially in the second half of the year," Skipworth said.
"I want to thank the Essendon Football Club and its supporters for embracing me after coming from a different club. I have been made to feel welcome and, although it was my first year on the playing list, I have been at Windy Hill for three years and the club has been great.
"It's a great club and thanks to Matthew Knights and the recruitment people for giving me the opportunity. Even though it didn't last as long as I would have liked it was great to get back out there. I also want to thank my family and friends for all their support."
Essendon football operations manager Paul Hamilton paid tribute to Skipworth.
"Hayden had a good start to the year but, physically, he wasn't able to maintain it. He is a great club man and was very well liked and respected by the players and coaches," Hamilton said.
"He played a big role in the development of guys like Tayte Pears and Kyle Reimers by showing them the commitment and dedication required to be a professional footballer."
Skipworth finished with 55 games and 33 goals to his name after making his AFL debut with the Crows in 2001.
Meanwhile, the Bombers have axed John Williams - who played just the one game back in 2008 - and rookie-listed players Rhys Magin, Tom German, Bryce Carroll and Kade Klemke.
Magin managed four appearances for the club last year after briefly being promoted to the senior list late in the season.
Skipworth played 44 games for Adelaide before being delisted at the end of 2006.
He joined the Bombers' VFL affiliate Bendigo in 2007 but suffered a serious knee injury early in the season.
However, Skipworth bounced back to win Bendigo's best-and-fairest award the following year which prompted the Dons to take him with pick three in the 2008 pre-season draft.
But the 26-year-old said his body was no longer able to cope with the rigours of the modern game.
"Unfortunately my body is struggling to cope with the AFL workload and I wasn't able to play the sort of footy I wanted to play, especially in the second half of the year," Skipworth said.
"I want to thank the Essendon Football Club and its supporters for embracing me after coming from a different club. I have been made to feel welcome and, although it was my first year on the playing list, I have been at Windy Hill for three years and the club has been great.
"It's a great club and thanks to Matthew Knights and the recruitment people for giving me the opportunity. Even though it didn't last as long as I would have liked it was great to get back out there. I also want to thank my family and friends for all their support."
Essendon football operations manager Paul Hamilton paid tribute to Skipworth.
"Hayden had a good start to the year but, physically, he wasn't able to maintain it. He is a great club man and was very well liked and respected by the players and coaches," Hamilton said.
"He played a big role in the development of guys like Tayte Pears and Kyle Reimers by showing them the commitment and dedication required to be a professional footballer."
Skipworth finished with 55 games and 33 goals to his name after making his AFL debut with the Crows in 2001.
Meanwhile, the Bombers have axed John Williams - who played just the one game back in 2008 - and rookie-listed players Rhys Magin, Tom German, Bryce Carroll and Kade Klemke.
Magin managed four appearances for the club last year after briefly being promoted to the senior list late in the season.
| 28 |
| Vote |
subscribe to this blog
