Retiring Tiger Will Thursfield to work on growth
by: Jon Ralph From: Herald Sun October 26, 2011 12:00AM
MILLIONS of kids would give anything to play AFL, but Richmond's Will Thursfield has become the notable exception.
It was revealed the Tigers offered the fullback a one-year contract to play on next season.
But Thursfield, just 25 and in the prime of his 77-game career, decided to retire.
He played the last nine games of the season under Damien Hardwick and could have reached 100 games if the Tigers made finals next year.
Instead Thursfield, who has a landscape gardening business, told the club on Monday his career was over.
"It was something he had been thinking of," his manager Anthony McConville said yesterday.
"He gave it some really careful consideration over his time away, but he was pretty keen to hang them up and say, 'I am satisfied. I am going to move on and go out on my terms happy with what I have achieved'.
"He has been working at his landscape gardening business for the last 18 months to two years and he was eager to take those opportunities and go into the next phase (of his life)."
Defenders Luke McGuane and Daniel Connors, both of whom expressed interest in a trade during the annual meat market, will both stay at the club.
They are contracted and have sat down with coaching staff to work through their positions on the list.
Angus Graham, who also asked for a trade given the club was bringing in Adelaide's Ivan Maric, will also continue.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/retiring-tiger-will-thursfield-to-work-on-growth/story-e6frf9jf-1226176586009
