Ricky Retires

[Groucho]

Just heard that Ricky Olarenshaw has bowed to chronic injury and announced his retirement today. Thanks for trying Rick. Hope you still hang out with us a bit Spidey!

 

[True_Roo]

It's sad to see him retire because of injury.

Hopefully he can stay on at the club in a assistants/physio type of role.

Good luck Rick

 

[Rooboy 96]

Bugger... I really wanted to see Ricky succeed... oh well best of luck Ricky... at least you gave it a go...

Spidey is gunna be pissed...

 

[Darky]

Thanks for trying Rick. It's a shame a senior send-off won't be possible but maybe a VFL flag can end the career on a good note!

 

[Shermanator]

Originally posted by Darky
Thanks for trying Rick. It's a shame a senior send-off won't be possible but maybe a VFL flag can end the career on a good note!

DITTO!

 

[Shinboners]

Best wishes to Ricky for the future.

Having been to a few club functions, chatting to the players, especially the younger ones, it was interesting to note that everybody looked up to him and that Ricky never let his own injury problems get anybody else down. It seems that Ricky spent plenty of time encouraging our young players.

I do hope the club can find a role for him because often the people who have had to work the hardest can often make the best teachers/coaches.

 

[BW]

Olarenshaw announces retirement
By Damian Booth

Wednesday, August 29, 2001

Kangaroos wingman and AFL premiership player Ricky Olarenshaw has decided to hang up his boots after ten years of AFL football, succumbing to a succession of chronic injuries.

Olarenshaw's battle against chronic hamstring and back injuries has been well publicisied and after one final attempt to resurrect his AFL career at the Kangaroos, he has decided to call it a day.

"I am extremely grateful to the Kangaroos for giving me the opportunity to continue to play AFL football," said Olarenshaw.

"It was very important to me to give it my best, I would not have been satisfied if I had retired after my stint at Collingwood. At least I will not die wondering whether I could have kept playing or not."

Olarenshaw has no desire to play football at any other level, although he hopes to play in the VFL finals series this September if he is fit.

Instead, Olarenshaw is keen to take advantage of his physiotherapy qualifications and current business study and take on either a physio/assistant coach style role or even administration role at a football club.

"I feel that I wasn't able to give my best on the football field over the past few seasons so I really want to contribute in an off-field capacity," said Olarenshaw.

Obviously my knowledge of physiotherapy and AFL football provide a unique combination, I'm well aware of the challenges and frustrations of injury rehabilitation."

"I am prepared to move interstate to further my off-field career."

Ricky Olarenshaw played 83 games for Essendon, Collingwood and the Kangaroos and won both an AFL day and night Premiership during his career.

-ends-

 

[DarkRider]

That's one dead branch of the tree gone. Let's hope Calthorpe takes the hint too. To think a club that's short of money paid these two hacks, beggars belief.

 

[35eye]

Awwww
I grew really fond of Ricky this year. I still have a photo of me & him from the cocktail night on my fridge.

Like Shinners said, Rick has clearly been a fantastic leader & role model to our kids this year. The few times he played in the ressies he was just awesome to watch as an on-field mentor to his team mates. He could be gentle or harsh, depending what the situation required. An absolutely self-less player.

Despite what you say Darkrider, we certainly got our money's worth out of him because he was virtually an unofficial member of the coaching staff.

I really hope North retain him because I don't want to lose him.

 

[Darky]

...and he came at bugger all cost too! Not much risk involved in getting an 82 game CLASS player whose only downside was injury. It's not as if we picked up a Tim Elliott or Trent Bartlett type who could actually do more harm than good with the ball.

 

[topdon]

Ricky is a great bloke and i wish him all the best for the future. Sad to see injuries get the better of him. Setback after setback. I congratulate the Roos and Pagan for sticking with the guy. He tried his guts out...he has had a shocking run.

Good luck Ricky O ... you've still got that Premiership medallion of yours and no one is going to take that from you!

 

[Spidergirl~RiCkChiCk]

i wouldn't say i am "pissed" about it in fact i am very thankful that RiCkY told me about his decision to retire last week otherwise it woulda been very upsetting for me to hear it off the tv or on here!

GOOD LUCK RICKY U KNO I LUV YA!

.....and yes Groucho i will still hang with the Roos a bit, we will see if i can get the old man to fork out another Roo membership hehehhe! he does claim he is a North supporter

#47
~Go RiCkY~
You're so fine!

 

[hurricane]

Bad luck to Ricky, it must have taken lots of character to keep throwing himself back into the fray. Hope his post playing career brings him a bit more luck!

Good to hear you're sticking around for a while, RC.