From 'so long, and thanks for the memories' to just 'so long'
Rohan Connolly
The Age
September 10, 2006
SENTIMENT spilled freely around AFL football for the past couple of weeks as a steady stream of players said their goodbyes.
Last Sunday, it was Hawthorn's John Barker and the Kangaroos' Sav Rocca.
But it's fair to say the little surge of football romanticism came to an abrupt halt this week, and the sense of ruthlessness that accompanies today's game well and truly restored. Just ask Andrew Kellaway or Clark Keating.
Kellaway, one of Richmond's most popular players, might well have played his last game of AFL football knowing that his farewell came not in front of a packed MCG, nor even the Punt Road training track, but on a surfboard.
That was where he strained his hamstring, forcing a late withdrawal from Richmond's round-17 clash with St Kilda. He had played 15 of 16 games to that point, pretty serviceably, too, and was badly missed that day as the Saints cut though the Richmond defence.
At that point, you might have got sizeable odds on the 2000 best and fairest not remaining an essential part of the Tiger equation. But when you're over 30 these days, AFL football is a week-to-week proposition.
Kellaway and Keating are keen to play on. But even if either is picked up by another AFL club, it's going to remain a pretty insecure existence on a one-year deal.
The writing was obviously on the wall for Barker, Rocca and Rioli. They'll leave with some fond memories, none the least the manner in which they were allowed to say goodbye.
It's a different story for the Kellaways, Keatings and Johnsons. They should be kicking back, enjoying the break from another year's hard toil and effort. But you can bet they're not.
A harsh and unforgiving business is AFL football. Particularly if you're in the latter stages of your career and are proud enough to believe you have something substantial to offer.
Full article at:
http://www.realfooty.theage.com.au/realfooty/articles/2006/09/09/1157222383432.html
