West Coast premiership star Daniel Kerr announced his AFL retirement on Tuesday, ending a 13-year career as one of the elite midfielders of his generation.
Often overshadowed by the on, and off,-field accomplishments and activities of other star teammates, Kerr ended weeks of speculation by pulling the pin on an illustrious career after managing just 10 games in 2013.
“I’ve been lucky to be able to wake up every day and do what I love, but lately it has become harder to get my body to carry out my mind’s instructions,” Kerr said.
“It was hard to come to terms with the fact that I probably wasn’t going to be able to play to the standard that I wanted, but I recognise that my best football is past me and it’s time to step aside to let the new generation through.
“I’ve had the time of my life at this football club and I’ve made friends that I’ll keep until the end of my days.”
John Worsfold Calls It Quits On West Coast Coaching Career
The 30-year-old recovered from an untimely late-career run of injuries that saw him play seasons of 11, 11 and four games between 2008-10 before managing 16 and 24 games and over 23 possessions per contest in recent seasons as the Eagles returned to premiership contender status.
Kerr’s disappointing 2013 was synonymous with West Coast’s sudden fall from grace- the club was expected to emerged as a top four team and a legit premiership threat, but floundered out of the gate and never recovered. Kerr managed just 10 games in West Coast’s nine-win season.
Daniel Kerr played 220 games for the club, winning a premiership in 2006 and the West Coast best and fairest in just his second season at 19 years of age. He was two-time Brownlow Medal runner-up and finished third in 2006.
The Answer? Dockers Close In On Gumbleton
“Daniel has been fortunate enough to achieve many accolades during his career and we take great pride in the football he had been able to produce over the past 13 years,” West Coast football operations manager Craig Vozzo told the West Coast website.
“He has been an elite midfielder of the competition and set a high standard for his younger teammates to live up to.
“Daniel has been a terrific servant of this club and his skill and courage will be sorely missed, but always remembered by the club and our supporters.”
Kerr is one of a number of Eagles to have retired this off-season, joining Adam Selwood, Mark Nicoski, Andrew Embley, Ashton Hams and Brad Dick.
Get amongst CraveOnlineAU on Twitter and Facebook for daily sport, music, entertainment and gaming news.
Follow Robert White on Twitter @RobertWhitebrrr.
Photo: Paul Kane, Getty Images.
