News Hayden calls it a day.

[Seppo]

All the best Woger Hayden!!! A fantastic player who loved the fans and always chatted to fans at training sessions here. You have done the #43 jumper proud! We should retire it next year in respect that he could have played on...

Would it be wrong to write:
"Break a leg Roger!" on the banner this week?

I'm glad we still get to acknowledge him as he isn't playing. There was no way we could recognise Scammer and not Hayden

 

[summerthebat]

Still the only player I've bothered to put their number on my dockers jumper.

I remember in the 2006/2007/2008 seasons? He held an incredible record of his kick outs leading to goals 9% of the time, I think the next best in the league at the time was something like 6%? I can't recall.

But he will be missed.

 

[Freo4life]

I can only echo the sentiments in this thread. Just had the time and space with the ball that no one else could have. I too hope that he can stay at the club in some capacity, as we should not lose a bloke of his caliber.

 

[electricfeel]

Sad news

 

[Schauermann]

Saw this coming with his latest injuries.

Well done and good luck...

 

[PapaJ]

I posted something about 'smart players' somewhere recently and they are worth their weight in gold. Roger was one of the smartest to ever play and we only saw the half of his ability due to injury. Without doubt one of my all time favourite players.

Though it's a pity, the odds were high he was going to be forced out with injury at some point. Great footballer, great Freo man - well done Dodger and best of luck in the future.

 

[Mad props Freo]

Good job Roger. 120+ games of dedicated footy.

 

[purplepassion82]

Aww no! One of my favourites at freo and I will miss him greatly. Went about his business on and off the field as a classy bloke and will be remembered fondly in this household.

 

[Mop]

Met him a few times when I was at work. Really nice guy.

Sad to see him go, injuries got the better of a good player and a top bloke.

All the best to him with whatever he does next.

 

[MadMac]

Thanks for the memories Dodger. All the best, brother.

 

[Altum Volantes]

Quality player but luckless with injury.

Would have to open the door to bringing Leon Davis on board for 2012 though surely?

 

[FD2646]

Ah goddammit.

Going to miss you genius.

Cmon down Leon

Correct, however right now congrats on the career Roger, you will be missed...made the game look so easy.

 

[Wee Jessies]

On reflection his lack of class was a massive out for our club with so many young and inexperienced players he would have been a big asset beyond this season.

I was thinking about where he would rank in my top five fav retired players I had him at 4 behind Parker, Kicketty and Macca until he made me well up by saying this

Hayden said being at Fremantle his entire career had left him with many cherished memories to take away from the game.
"I love Fremantle and the Fremantle culture," he said.
"To be a part of the one team throughout my whole career has been unbelievable."
He thanked the Freo fans for their support over the past 11 seasons.
"It’s been a rollercoaster ride for myself and the club,” he said.
"What the fans bring to the team has been incredible.
"I’d like to thank them very much and there’s no doubt I’ll be amongst them in the future sitting in the crowd."

He will be number one on the list for a while anyway thanks Roger for all your efforts.

 

[Willsy82]

Yeah that sux, I really enjoyed watching the guy play

 

[Seppo]

Im changing my avatar to Roger for a week to celebrate his 128 game career at Freo.

Much respect for Rodger!!!

 

[Keys]

Surprised he only played 128 games tbh. Just goes to show the extent to which his career was hampered by injury

 

[S.J Rollin]

Farewell to the Artful Rodger... considered him, part of the furniture

 

[Mop]

Farewell to the Artful Rodger... considered him, part of the furniture

Artful Rodger eh? I like it!

 

[Alfonz]

One of our greats and hard to think of a Freo player I liked more. Maybe Kickett. It is a pity he had so many injuries over his whole career. At his best, there was not a small defender in the game I would have chosen over Roger.

 

[Reginald Perrin]

Surprised he only played 128 games tbh. Just goes to show the extent to which his career was hampered by injury

Only 128 games from 11 seasons is a tragedy, but there may be a silver lining in the future:

He has no plans for the immediate future other than spending some quality time with his wife and two young boys.

Teach them well Roger.

 

[Stronzo]

A short but sweet career, and like the rest of you I will also miss Roger the artful dodging genius.

Hopefully his ability to bend space and time, among other skills, will be passed on to his boys and they'll both play for the FFC one day.

Crying shame he didn't make it to 150.

 

[E Shed]

I do like this quote from the article

“The playing group that we have now, if we can get everyone on the park, will go a very long way over the next few years,” he said.
“To not be a part of that is something that’s going to be hard.”

 

[The Night Shift]

One of my all time favourite players to ever wear Freo' colours.

At his best and uninjured he seemed to make time stop and have silky moves avoiding opposition players and tackles. Almost matrix like at times.

 

[Lord Rod]

A class act on and off the paddock. All the best for the future Roger

 

[Clay Davis]

This here was what I loved most about him

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ffataeer6M#t=30

(Also contains free Michael Johnson point)