Essendon Fan
6 Sep 2003, 14:43
Essendon premiership player Paul Barnard announced his retirement from AFL footy less than an hour before his club’s elimination final against Fremantle in Perth.
But after the Dons progressed to the second week of the finals, his coach Kevin Sheedy insisted Barnard – who was an emergency for Friday’s final - was still a chance to play again this year.
“He’s a very, very strong player coming off a bench for us and don’t think he wouldn’t be in next week because he’s got every chance to play next week,” Sheedy said after his club’s 44 point win.
“I would say a lot of our players really won the game to make sure he’d be in the side next week.”
Barnard last played in round 17 this year, taking his career tally to 150.
He told his teammates of his decision in the dressing rooms before the game, but has been contemplating it for much of the year.
The renowned hard nut who played 24 games last season was apprehensive about his chances of forcing his way into the senior side next week.
“We’ll believe that when we see it. I never take anything for granted. If he (Sheedy) says that, that’s great, if I’m not, well I’ll still be there training and helping the guys and I’ll be there if they need me to be.”
But Barnard said he more chance of being selected if Essendon draw the Swans in Sydney.
“At the SCG it’s all about talls, so I’m half a chance. I’ll have to train well, there’s probably one or two spots to go for,” he said.
Barnard kicked four majors for the Bombers in their victory over Brisbane in the 2000 grand final. He began his senior career at Hawthorn in 1994, where he played 11 games before being recruited by the Dons in 1996.
Pleased by the display he had witnessed at Subiaco Oval on Friday night, Barnard said it had been difficult to address his teammates pre-match.
“It had to be short and sweet because my eyes started swelling up, so I sort of said ‘oh yeah, I’m finished’ and walked straight out.”
“Obviously I had to get it out there tonight because if we lost it was all over and I wouldn’t have had a chance to tell the guys I was going to retire, it would have been after the game. Sheeds thought it was a good idea to do it.” (afl.com.au)
HMMM!!
I'm guessing if he does play again this year,
it'll be his last :( ....Good Luck Barnard and WELL DONE!!!
Thanks for your time at Essendon .. Little rought nut! :)
But after the Dons progressed to the second week of the finals, his coach Kevin Sheedy insisted Barnard – who was an emergency for Friday’s final - was still a chance to play again this year.
“He’s a very, very strong player coming off a bench for us and don’t think he wouldn’t be in next week because he’s got every chance to play next week,” Sheedy said after his club’s 44 point win.
“I would say a lot of our players really won the game to make sure he’d be in the side next week.”
Barnard last played in round 17 this year, taking his career tally to 150.
He told his teammates of his decision in the dressing rooms before the game, but has been contemplating it for much of the year.
The renowned hard nut who played 24 games last season was apprehensive about his chances of forcing his way into the senior side next week.
“We’ll believe that when we see it. I never take anything for granted. If he (Sheedy) says that, that’s great, if I’m not, well I’ll still be there training and helping the guys and I’ll be there if they need me to be.”
But Barnard said he more chance of being selected if Essendon draw the Swans in Sydney.
“At the SCG it’s all about talls, so I’m half a chance. I’ll have to train well, there’s probably one or two spots to go for,” he said.
Barnard kicked four majors for the Bombers in their victory over Brisbane in the 2000 grand final. He began his senior career at Hawthorn in 1994, where he played 11 games before being recruited by the Dons in 1996.
Pleased by the display he had witnessed at Subiaco Oval on Friday night, Barnard said it had been difficult to address his teammates pre-match.
“It had to be short and sweet because my eyes started swelling up, so I sort of said ‘oh yeah, I’m finished’ and walked straight out.”
“Obviously I had to get it out there tonight because if we lost it was all over and I wouldn’t have had a chance to tell the guys I was going to retire, it would have been after the game. Sheeds thought it was a good idea to do it.” (afl.com.au)
HMMM!!
I'm guessing if he does play again this year,
it'll be his last :( ....Good Luck Barnard and WELL DONE!!!
Thanks for your time at Essendon .. Little rought nut! :)