TonyK
CibbuanoSolomon hangs up boots
February 18th 2010 01:53
FREMANTLE veteran Dean Solomon has retired from AFL football, effective immediately.
The 30-year-old had planned to play on in 2010 but he was forced into retirement due to chronic problems with his right knee.
"I've seen two surgeons in the last week and the outlook they gave me is I've got zero per cent chance of playing football again," Solomon told a packed media conference.
"Unfortunately, with that advice I had no choice"
"I'll have to have an operation similar to (former Dockers ruckman) Justin Longmuir in the next three years to give me more life in the knee after football."
Solomon said he prided himself on always putting his body on the line during his career.
"Hopefully I leave with my teammates knowing every time I went onto the field I gave 100 per cent and always committed my body in any way I possibly could," he said.
"I never let them down I feel."
"Some disciplinary areas maybe but if there was a 50-50 ball or I had to put my body on the line I'd always do that."
A low point in Solomon's career came in 2008 when he landed a crude blow with his elbow on Geelong tagger Cameron Ling which left Ling with a fractured cheekbone and saw Solomon suspended for eight weeks.
"In my mind that's done and dusted and I'm just going to remember the good things I've achieved," Solomon said.
"A lot of people may remember that incident and bring it up but I hope those people remember the good footy I did play and I was part of a pretty good side at Essendon as well."
Taken with pick 20 by the Bombers in the 1997 national draft, Solomon played 158 games with the Dons and was a member of the club's 2000 premiership side.
He joined the Dockers at the end of 2006 and managed 51 appearances.
Solomon will work with Fremantle's development and coaching staff this season.
The 30-year-old had planned to play on in 2010 but he was forced into retirement due to chronic problems with his right knee.
"I've seen two surgeons in the last week and the outlook they gave me is I've got zero per cent chance of playing football again," Solomon told a packed media conference.
"Unfortunately, with that advice I had no choice"
"I'll have to have an operation similar to (former Dockers ruckman) Justin Longmuir in the next three years to give me more life in the knee after football."
Solomon said he prided himself on always putting his body on the line during his career.
"Hopefully I leave with my teammates knowing every time I went onto the field I gave 100 per cent and always committed my body in any way I possibly could," he said.
"I never let them down I feel."
"Some disciplinary areas maybe but if there was a 50-50 ball or I had to put my body on the line I'd always do that."
A low point in Solomon's career came in 2008 when he landed a crude blow with his elbow on Geelong tagger Cameron Ling which left Ling with a fractured cheekbone and saw Solomon suspended for eight weeks.
"In my mind that's done and dusted and I'm just going to remember the good things I've achieved," Solomon said.
"A lot of people may remember that incident and bring it up but I hope those people remember the good footy I did play and I was part of a pretty good side at Essendon as well."
Taken with pick 20 by the Bombers in the 1997 national draft, Solomon played 158 games with the Dons and was a member of the club's 2000 premiership side.
He joined the Dockers at the end of 2006 and managed 51 appearances.
Solomon will work with Fremantle's development and coaching staff this season.
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