Mark Graham to retire

[Moi]

Ox on FoxFooty says he'll annouce it tomorrw.
Been a good solid year from Mark i reckon.

Good luck to him!

[mightytiges]

Best of luck to Mark for the future .

His decision to go into the draft and play on after the Hawks didn't want him has been vindicated as coming to Richmond allowed him to decide when he wanted to  retire and he's been a good servant for us this year not only on the field against Jonathan Brown and Tredrea but in also helping educating Will Thursfield about playing in the backline. As he came cheap with a late pick it's been a win-win for himself and the Tigers.

This probably means Staff will retire also as you would of thought out of the two Graham was the one more likely to go on one more year.

[Captain__Blood]

Been really solid.

Thanks big feller.

[julzqld]

I thought they just said he'll make his mind up tomorrow and announce whether he'll play another year or retire.

[one-eyed]

Graham to sign off
16 August 2005   
Herald Sun
Michael Stevens

RICHMOND veteran Mark Graham is expected to announce his retirement today.

The announcement will end a celebrated career for the former Hawthorn defender, who played 223 games in 12 seasons at Glenferrie.

Graham, 32, was delisted by Hawthorn at the end of last season, but has been a handy pick-up for the Tigers, playing in 19 of 20 games this season.

Tiger officials last night would not confirm Graham's impending decision.

Football manager Paul Armstrong said Graham would speak to coach Terry Wallace today.

"It might be a bit presumptuous to say he is retiring," Armstrong said. "He'll have a talk with Terry tomorrow and make a decision about his future one way or the other after that."

http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,16271295%255E19771,00.html

[Ox]

 

[letsgetiton!]

if graham does retire i believe stafford will play on. he has had a bad luck yr with injuries and i believe has alot to offer still.
graham,  what can we say, most were shocked when terry drafted him and really he has not set a foot wrong all yr, i hope he playes on as his experience is invaluable. if he decides to retire , i hope he stays close to the club in some kinda coaching mentoring role

[julzqld]

Yes I agree with you X.  For once, the club didn't do another Hudson.  Graham has been an asset to the team.  I personally hope he sticks around for another year.

[WilliamPowell]

Graham to bow out in style

10:45:50 AM Tue 16 August, 2005
Sportal for afl.com.au

Veteran Richmond defender Mark Graham has announced his retirement from AFL football and according to a statement released by the club, will play his last game for the Tigers against Hawthorn at Telstra Dome on Sunday.

And it will be an emotional farewell for Graham, who has played 19 games for the Tigers this year in his first season for the club after 223 games with the hawks between 1993 and 2004.

The 32 year old was selected by the Tigers with the 65th selection overall at the 2004 NAB AFL Draft, after being let go by new Hawk coach Alastair Clarkson as a youth policy took shape at Glenferrie Oval.

It was a bold move by the Tigers, but it has paid off, with Graham adding nous, determination and experience to the backline.

After starting with the Hawks as a tall, skinny wingman, Graham eventually moved to the backline and between the retirement of Chris Langford in 1997 and the emergence of Jonathan Hay in 2000, was usually assigned the opposition's best forward and it was a role he carried out with aplomb.

One of the most popular Hawks of his time - among both players and supporters, he finished runner-up to Joel Smith in the club's best and fairest award in 2001 - the year the Hawks finished just a kick from a grand final.


http://richmondfc.com.au/default.asp?pg=news&spg=display&articleid=222865

[WilliamPowell]

Disappointed to see him retiring - I reckon he still had alot to offer the young blokes especially his apprentice  Will Thursfield.

Been excellent this season playing the various roles he's been given.

And a top bloke as well

Thanks Heebie on a job well done at the RFC

[JohnF]

Has been ok for us this year but I think he is doing the right thing in retiring. I think Stafford should definitely follow suit.

[Ox]

Im wrapt with the way he backed into packs in the name of the RFC.
I'll remember him as a Tiger player.

[Mopsy]

He could make a good recruit development officer

[om21]

Honest player....tried hard. And worked hard. Cant deny anyone who is like that and has a decent bit of football brain about him.

Well done Graham.

[julzqld]

I'm sad he's going - I think he's done a great job.  I only hope he felt comfortable and at home at Punt Road.  I know of some players (and coaches) coming from other clubs and they talk alot about their former club and the ties they had there and you wonder whether they never really settled in properly at Richmond.