Hawthorn captain, Richie Vandenberg, has announced that this AFL final series will be his last.
Vandenberg announced his retirement at a packed media conference at the Hawks Waverley Park headquarters.
TheHawthorn captain was emotional, announcing his will be the end of hisAFL career even though he had just come off the track as he and histeam-mates prepared for Saturday’s elimination clash against Adelaide.
However,it was a matter of body over mind with persistent back problems whichhave sidelined him for most of the 2007 season, proving the decisivefactor in the end. Vandenberg has trained and played through much ofthe pain, but will retire at the end of this season.
“I haveheld a position of great honour (at Hawthorn) but unfortunately for methis year - and it has been the case over the past four years - I havehad a back problem, and it has meant that I haven’t been able toperform at the level that I would like to perform at.
“At the end of this season I will hang up the boots. I am very comfortable with the decision I have made, along with the Club.”
“I feel like I’ll be leaving the game giving it everything I possibly could. I don’t feel like I have left anything in the tank.
“That’swhy the decision for me, while it’s been a very sad decision - Ialready feel excited and happy about what the future holds.”
TheHawks captain is delighted that under his leadership the club has madea return to finals football having not tasted September action since2001. However, Vandenberg was quick to credit the support show to himby Hawthorn’s leadership group, coaches and players alike.
However,of most importance over his career has been the support shown to him byhis parents, Peter and Pam who travel 6 hours each way to watch himplay each week.
“It’s been one of the great joys in my life formy parents to share the journey with me. They have been such fantasticcompany on the journey and along the course.”
Vandenberg, hampered by injury in 2007 is set to notch up his 144th career game on Saturday.
Player Profile
21 Richie Vandenberg
Selected at No.78 in 1997 National Draft
Recruited from: Wentworth (NSW) / University Blues
AFL/HFC debut: Round 17, 1998
DOB: 14.01.1977
Height: 178cm
Weight: 84kg
Games: 143
Goals: 64
Captain: 2005-2007
Vandenberg announced his retirement at a packed media conference at the Hawks Waverley Park headquarters.
TheHawthorn captain was emotional, announcing his will be the end of hisAFL career even though he had just come off the track as he and histeam-mates prepared for Saturday’s elimination clash against Adelaide.
However,it was a matter of body over mind with persistent back problems whichhave sidelined him for most of the 2007 season, proving the decisivefactor in the end. Vandenberg has trained and played through much ofthe pain, but will retire at the end of this season.
“I haveheld a position of great honour (at Hawthorn) but unfortunately for methis year - and it has been the case over the past four years - I havehad a back problem, and it has meant that I haven’t been able toperform at the level that I would like to perform at.
“At the end of this season I will hang up the boots. I am very comfortable with the decision I have made, along with the Club.”
“I feel like I’ll be leaving the game giving it everything I possibly could. I don’t feel like I have left anything in the tank.
“That’swhy the decision for me, while it’s been a very sad decision - Ialready feel excited and happy about what the future holds.”
TheHawks captain is delighted that under his leadership the club has madea return to finals football having not tasted September action since2001. However, Vandenberg was quick to credit the support show to himby Hawthorn’s leadership group, coaches and players alike.
However,of most importance over his career has been the support shown to him byhis parents, Peter and Pam who travel 6 hours each way to watch himplay each week.
“It’s been one of the great joys in my life formy parents to share the journey with me. They have been such fantasticcompany on the journey and along the course.”
Vandenberg, hampered by injury in 2007 is set to notch up his 144th career game on Saturday.
Player Profile
21 Richie Vandenberg
Selected at No.78 in 1997 National Draft
Recruited from: Wentworth (NSW) / University Blues
AFL/HFC debut: Round 17, 1998
DOB: 14.01.1977
Height: 178cm
Weight: 84kg
Games: 143
Goals: 64
Captain: 2005-2007
