TonyK
CibbuanoThurstans calls it quits
September 4th 2009 00:51
PORT ADELAIDE premiership defender Toby Thurstans has announced his retirement from AFL football.
Thurstans said he felt that he could no longer cope with the rigours of the modern game.
"I simply don't think I have enough left in me to get through another season," Thurstans said.
"The mental and physical rigours of an AFL season demand so much, and I am not the sort of person who is going to go on unless I think I can contribute 100 percent."
The 29-year-old, who played 110 games for Port, was drafted in 1998 but had to wait until 2003 to make his debut.
He played all 25 matches in the club's premiership year in 2004 and kicked three goals in the grand final win over Brisbane.
Power coach Mark Williams said Thurstans had shown enormous persistence during his career.
"Toby retires with an AFL premiership medal after waiting four years to play his first game," Williams said.
"And he didn't just play in that Grand Final – he played really well."
Thurstans said he felt that he could no longer cope with the rigours of the modern game.
"I simply don't think I have enough left in me to get through another season," Thurstans said.
"The mental and physical rigours of an AFL season demand so much, and I am not the sort of person who is going to go on unless I think I can contribute 100 percent."
The 29-year-old, who played 110 games for Port, was drafted in 1998 but had to wait until 2003 to make his debut.
Power coach Mark Williams said Thurstans had shown enormous persistence during his career.
"Toby retires with an AFL premiership medal after waiting four years to play his first game," Williams said.
"And he didn't just play in that Grand Final – he played really well."
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