Premiership Eagle Butler retires from AFL
Aug 22, 2017 - 6:55 AM The last member of West Coast's 2006 premiership side has announced his AFL retirement, with Sam Butler saying the time is right to hang up his boots.Butler was just 20 years old when he played in the '06 flag.
A series of soft tissue injuries restricted him to just 166 games over 14 years, and his 2017 campaign was ended by a serious shoulder injury.
"It has been a wonderful ride, but the time has come," the 31-year-old said.
"I've enjoyed every minute of it and when I take the time to reflect, I know I'll be really proud of what I have achieved.
"To be a life member of this footy club and to have played in a premiership team have been really special moments in my life.
"When I look back on my career I have absolutely no regrets."
Butler also played in the losing 2005 and 2013 grand finals.
Matt Priddis and Sam Mitchell have also announced their retirements, with the pair to play out the season.
The futures of Drew Petrie and forward Mark LeCras remain up in the air.
Defender Eric Mackenzie is expected to earn a new one-year deal after working his way back into West Coast's best 22 this season.
West Coast's finals hopes hang in the balance heading into Sunday's clash with Adelaide at Domain Stadium.
The Eagles need to beat the Crows and rely on other results to fall their way if they are to sneak into the top eight.
Butler is confident about West Coast's future, saying there's a strong core of young players ready to carry the team to the ultimate success.
Source: AAP
No one has shouted yet.
Be the first!
Be the first!
Related News
- Eagle Jetta suffers calf setback in AFL Dec 20
- Eagles re-sign Yeo until 2023 AFL season Dec 15
- Naitanui on track for pre-season AFL games Dec 12
- Eagles take a leaf from small AFL Tigers Dec 5
- Shannon Hurn keen to keep Eagles captaincy Dec 4
- Naitanui hits track for West Coast Eagles Nov 20
- Delisted Eagle to seek new AFL home Oct 26
- Eagles pair go round again in AFL Sep 20
- AFL Eagles looking to get fitter for 2018 Sep 17
- Eagle LeCras urged to knuckle down in AFL Sep 17
- Emotional Eagles farewell retired AFL guns Sep 16
- Vardy emerges as AFL Eagles' ruck saviour Sep 15