TonyK
CibbuanoWirrpanda calls it a day
September 1st 2009 08:29
WEST COAST premiership player David Wirrpanda has announced his retirement from AFL football.
Wirrpanda said his body was in good enough condition to allow him to play on next season but he wanted to give the club's younger players more game time.
"I still believe I can keep going but I think the right thing to do on behalf of this football club and development is to actually move on," Wirrpanda said.
"With the young blokes like (Scott) Selwood coming through, (Tom) Swift, young (Shannon) Hurn, you've got a lot of younger players cementing their positions, especially in the backline."
"The best thing for them is to get game time, it'll just grow their footy. I thought if I keep playing I'd take that opportunity away from them."
"That's where I spoke to Woosha and I thought to myself, for this club to go further I have to sacrifice my position in order for the younger blokes to get more experience.
The 30-year-old is the third Eagle to call it quits this season, joining fellow premiership players Chad Fletcher and Adam Hunter.
Wirrpanda made his debut in 1996 at the tender age of 16 and finished with 227 games and 131 goals to his name.
He now plans on spending more time with his family and working full-time with the Wirrpanda Foundation which promotes strong role models and healthy life choices to Indigenous children.
Meanwhile, West Coast midfielders Matt Rosa (hip and ankle), Andrew Embley (ankle), Matt Priddis (knee) and Adam Cockie (plate removed from shoulder) will all have post-season surgery.
Wirrpanda said his body was in good enough condition to allow him to play on next season but he wanted to give the club's younger players more game time.
"I still believe I can keep going but I think the right thing to do on behalf of this football club and development is to actually move on," Wirrpanda said.
"With the young blokes like (Scott) Selwood coming through, (Tom) Swift, young (Shannon) Hurn, you've got a lot of younger players cementing their positions, especially in the backline."
"The best thing for them is to get game time, it'll just grow their footy. I thought if I keep playing I'd take that opportunity away from them."
"That's where I spoke to Woosha and I thought to myself, for this club to go further I have to sacrifice my position in order for the younger blokes to get more experience.
The 30-year-old is the third Eagle to call it quits this season, joining fellow premiership players Chad Fletcher and Adam Hunter.
Wirrpanda made his debut in 1996 at the tender age of 16 and finished with 227 games and 131 goals to his name.
He now plans on spending more time with his family and working full-time with the Wirrpanda Foundation which promotes strong role models and healthy life choices to Indigenous children.
Meanwhile, West Coast midfielders Matt Rosa (hip and ankle), Andrew Embley (ankle), Matt Priddis (knee) and Adam Cockie (plate removed from shoulder) will all have post-season surgery.
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