From the WC website:
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KEMP RETIRES
16 August 2001
Champion West Coast Eagles centreman Dean Kemp has elected to retire after consulting experts from a range of medical fields.
After a stellar career, which netted 243 games, including the premierships of 1992 and 1994, the highly skilled midfielder has spent several weeks contemplating his future after suffering blurred vision in several games this season.
Medical reports indicate there should be no lingering effects.
His eighth match this season – and ultimately the last of his career – against Collingwood at Colonial Stadium ended after a seemingly innocuous incident early in the game.
An integral part of the outstanding West Coast team in the early 90s, Kemp’s signature traits were immaculate disposal, wonderful balance, poise and awareness and an ability, with a deft touch, to be able push the ball to a teammate’s advantage from within heavy traffic.
When West Coast was at its best, Kemp was the outstanding player, winning the club champion award in 1992 and the Norm Smith Medal as best afield in the 1994 grand final. He also earned all-Australian
selection in 1992 and played two games for WA.
After weighing up his future, he conceded today that he had no choice but to retire.
“Having considered all the medical opinions available to me, I have no choice but to retire,” Kemp said. “I have a wife and son to consider in my life after football and that was another important factor in my decision.
“Obviously this is not the way I imagined my career would end, but very few players see it out with a fairytale finish.
“I have made some life long friends in my 12 years with the West Coast Eagles and also have some wonderful memories which will live with me forever.”
Recruited to Subiaco from Kalgoorlie club Railways, by then Lions football manager Trevor Nisbett, the lithe Kemp was a star in the making before leaving the Goldfields.
And his relationship with Nisbett, who in 1989 became football manager at the West Coast Eagles and then two years ago was elevated to the position of chief executive, has been a constant through his career.
It was Nisbett, in one of the finest recruiting coups in history, who snared Kemp as a compensatory draft selection in 1989.
Kemp, close friend Brett Heady and another dual premiership player, Tony Evans, comprised a triumvirate of recruits who triggered a philosophical change in the attitude of Victorian clubs. From that day forward they dedicated a good deal more attention to the player nurseries outside of Victoria.
Throw in Ashley McIntosh, under the father-son rule, and Peter Matera as selection No.4 and that draft performance set the West Coast Eagles on the path to glory.
For Nisbett the retirement of Kemp is also a sad affair.
“I have seen Dean develop from an outstanding schoolboy player into one of the elite footballers in the country,” Nisbett said. “He has been a wonderful player for the West Coast Eagles, some would say the greatest, but certainly among the best four or five ever to represent the club.
“He was part of a truly great centreline, combining with Chris Mainwaring and Peter Matera, to form a devastating midfield which was central to the club’s success.
“Unfortunately nothing lasts forever and Dean has decided to retire.”
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That did not help my allready raging migraine and nausea!
Vis
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KEMP RETIRES
16 August 2001
Champion West Coast Eagles centreman Dean Kemp has elected to retire after consulting experts from a range of medical fields.
After a stellar career, which netted 243 games, including the premierships of 1992 and 1994, the highly skilled midfielder has spent several weeks contemplating his future after suffering blurred vision in several games this season.
Medical reports indicate there should be no lingering effects.
His eighth match this season – and ultimately the last of his career – against Collingwood at Colonial Stadium ended after a seemingly innocuous incident early in the game.
An integral part of the outstanding West Coast team in the early 90s, Kemp’s signature traits were immaculate disposal, wonderful balance, poise and awareness and an ability, with a deft touch, to be able push the ball to a teammate’s advantage from within heavy traffic.
When West Coast was at its best, Kemp was the outstanding player, winning the club champion award in 1992 and the Norm Smith Medal as best afield in the 1994 grand final. He also earned all-Australian
selection in 1992 and played two games for WA.
After weighing up his future, he conceded today that he had no choice but to retire.
“Having considered all the medical opinions available to me, I have no choice but to retire,” Kemp said. “I have a wife and son to consider in my life after football and that was another important factor in my decision.
“Obviously this is not the way I imagined my career would end, but very few players see it out with a fairytale finish.
“I have made some life long friends in my 12 years with the West Coast Eagles and also have some wonderful memories which will live with me forever.”
Recruited to Subiaco from Kalgoorlie club Railways, by then Lions football manager Trevor Nisbett, the lithe Kemp was a star in the making before leaving the Goldfields.
And his relationship with Nisbett, who in 1989 became football manager at the West Coast Eagles and then two years ago was elevated to the position of chief executive, has been a constant through his career.
It was Nisbett, in one of the finest recruiting coups in history, who snared Kemp as a compensatory draft selection in 1989.
Kemp, close friend Brett Heady and another dual premiership player, Tony Evans, comprised a triumvirate of recruits who triggered a philosophical change in the attitude of Victorian clubs. From that day forward they dedicated a good deal more attention to the player nurseries outside of Victoria.
Throw in Ashley McIntosh, under the father-son rule, and Peter Matera as selection No.4 and that draft performance set the West Coast Eagles on the path to glory.
For Nisbett the retirement of Kemp is also a sad affair.
“I have seen Dean develop from an outstanding schoolboy player into one of the elite footballers in the country,” Nisbett said. “He has been a wonderful player for the West Coast Eagles, some would say the greatest, but certainly among the best four or five ever to represent the club.
“He was part of a truly great centreline, combining with Chris Mainwaring and Peter Matera, to form a devastating midfield which was central to the club’s success.
“Unfortunately nothing lasts forever and Dean has decided to retire.”
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That did not help my allready raging migraine and nausea!
Vis
)
