Shock as wounded Tiger Dan Jackson retiresTravis King and Tim Roman
afl.com.au
September 5, 2014 2:21 PMIN A SURPRISE at Tigerland, Richmond's reigning best and fairest winner Daniel Jackson has announced his immediate retirement.
Jackson was named in the Tigers' 25-man squad to face Port Adelaide in Sunday's elimination final but told his teammates on Friday morning that he was bowing out of football due to injury.
"We've been aware of his challenges this year trying to get his body right, obviously there's physical and also mental challenges with that," Tigers general manager of football Dan Richardson said on Friday.
"So we weren't shocked by the decision, but in the end obviously that got the better of him and he's made a decision that it's all over for him.
"After a great year last year winning the Jack Dyer Medal, obviously Dan was hoping to repeat that but injuries have got the better of him this year.
"In the end he's made a really selfless decision. He wasn't confident in his body – not only next year – but even right now."
The 28-year-old was restricted to just 10 games this season after an interrupted pre-season, and suffered with hip, glute and lower back injuries during the year.
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick and Richardson unsuccessfully tried to convince Jackson to see out the season.
"Certainly we both tried to do that but you could see in his eyes that he was comfortable with the call and in the end that's all you can do (is) respect that," Richardson said.
Richardson hoped Jackson's emotional farewell would have a positive impact on the playing group ahead of the Power clash.
"I think in many ways the impact will be positive in a sense because it's a reminder for us all that footy doesn't last forever and you've got to take your opportunities when they're in front of you," he said.
"There was some emotion in the room, I have no doubt about that, but the players have been around a bit and understand these situations happen in footy.
"Dan was certainly really emotional but as far as the playing group is concerned the timing and the announcement is about making sure that we're able to focus on this weekend."
Only last week, Hardwick was talking about the midfielder as a potential wildcard in the finals for the Tigers.
"If we go further he's an important player for us," Hardwick said last Thursday.
"He is the sort of player that for mine is a finals type player – he's hard, he's tough and he wins his own contested ball."
After contemplating retirement at the end of 2012, Jackson produced some career best football last season and played every game to win the Tigers' best and fairest.
Hardwick said the 28-year-old's 2014 season had been disappointing "from an output point of view" after a poor preparation.
"He's had a horrible run with injury, he didn't have a preseason," the coach said.
Jackson's place in the squad to face the Power was taken by Ben Lennon, with the final 22 to be named later on Friday.
Richardson lauded Jackson as a great clubman and "a great role model for the game", whose community and AFL Players' Association work would hold him in good stead for life after football.
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2014-09-05/wounded-tiger-jackson-retires