It’s the right time to bow out
richmondfc.com.au
By Kane Johnson 6:56 PM Tue 09 June, 2009
It’s never easy saying goodbye to something you love, and I can assure you that I have loved playing AFL football over the past 14 seasons. But the time has now come for me to hang up the boots.
I do so with no regrets – apart from not having made the finals with Richmond. Overall, it’s been a wonderful journey, and I’m very satisfied with what I’ve been able to achieve throughout my league career.
When I did my knee injury at the start of this year, I went on to the Club’s long-term injury list, which gave Robin Nahas the opportunity to be promoted off the rookie list. The knee injury has sidelined me for the first half of the season and, with the way the year’s panned out for the team so far, it meant a comeback in the second half of ’09 was not a viable option.
It’s the start of a new era at Richmond and, as I wasn’t going to be playing on next year anyway, the timing was right for me to step aside, so the Club can focus on the new generation of players.
The fact I’ve had plenty of time to mentally prepare for life after playing, has made this a much easier decision to make. It’s a bit of a soft landing, really.
With Jade Rawlings taking over the Club’s senior coaching job, and Craig McRae moving into his role at Coburg, this has created a hole in the development area. I’m rapt to have the opportunity to fill that gap for the next 12 weeks of this season and to remain involved with the Tigers.
It gives me the chance to assist with the continued development of the young players in an off-field role, in what shapes as an exciting time for the Club. I firmly believe Jade’s elevation to the senior post, along with the strong back-up provided by Wayne Campbell, Brian Royal and David King, gives the players, and all Tiger supporters, plenty to look forward to in the second half of this season.
Throughout his coaching stint at Coburg, Jade has placed a heavy emphasis on the team aspect and defensive side of the game, so I’m sure the boys will gain considerable benefit from that. And, the appointment of ‘Fly’ as Coburg’s coach is also a very good one because he’s had so much to do with the Club’s young players in their development.
Contrary to what a lot of people in the football world are thinking about the Tigers at the moment, I see a particularly bright future for the Club. I don’t want to individualise, but there’s a large group of talented young players emerging, with the ability and all-round attributes to propel Richmond into its next era of success, under the leadership of Chris Newman.
The Club’s in very good hands with Chris Newman at the helm as skipper. He’s been super-impressive as a first-year captain, displaying strong leadership and impressive resilience throughout. As a first-year captain in AFL football, he’s as good as what I’ve seen . . .
My league playing career has been neatly divided into seven years each at Adelaide and then Richmond. I’d like to firstly thank the Adelaide Football Club for giving me the opportunity to play AFL football. I appreciate everything the Crows did for me from the time I first moved over there, as a 17-year-old. The chance to play in successful sides under Malcolm Blight’s astute coaching, and learn the ropes playing alongside experienced stars such as Darren Jarman, Shaun Rehn, Mark Bickley and Mark Ricciuto, was just fantastic. They not only helped develop my game, but taught me what leadership was all about, and I’m most grateful to them.
I consider myself truly blessed to have played in two premiership sides with Adelaide. At the time, I didn’t understand, or appreciate, just how hard it is to win an AFL premiership. Now, at Richmond, I realise exactly what has to happen, both on and off the field, to build a strong, successful club.
Coming to Richmond, the club I barracked for as a kid, was another significant highlight of my league career. And, then, to get the opportunity to captain this great club, was an enormous thrill. My time as a player at Tigerland hasn’t been easy, but I’ve enjoyed it immensely. I’ve made some great friendships and have really developed as a person in my time at the Club.
I reckon the Tigers are still a work in progress . . . We’re heading in the right direction, and success is just around the corner – despite what many would have you believe. Tiger supporters have been starved of sustained success for a very long time, but I can guarantee them everyone at the Club is working hard towards making that happen.
I’d like to be around the place to see us take the next key steps up the ladder, and the next 12 weeks will provide me with an excellent opportunity to do that.
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