Everitt pins hopes on grand final glory
New Sydney recruit Peter Everitt is counting on ending his career in a blaze of grand final glory, something sadly missing from his AFL resume so far.
In the 32-year-old's previous 14 seasons, 10 with St Kilda and four with Hawthorn, he has only played three final matches.
The closest he came to a grand final was in 1997 with the Saints, when he missed the premiership decider with a shoulder injury.
But he believes that is set to change after being granted his wish to be traded to Sydney, the Swans giving Hawthorn their second round draft pick, No.33 overall.
Everitt said the chance of some overdue September action was his main motivation for heading north.
"After last year's flag and this year's grand final, why wouldn't you be attracted to them," Everitt said.
"You're going to a side that's played in two grand finals, so no doubt about it.
"They're a side that can play in probably another two or three, or I'm hoping definitely another two or three."
Everitt signed a two-year contract but is hoping he can get three years out of his body, something Sydney recruiting manager Stuart Maxfield said the club's renowned fitness program should assist.
"We're stoked that we've got a three-time All Australian, dual best and fairest," Maxfield said.
"Peter's obviously in the twilight of his career, but we've got great conditioning and medical staff and we believe that we can keep him going for another two, hopefully three, years."
Despite Sydney and Hawthorn having negotiated for five days over Everitt, it was not until two minutes before Friday's 2pm (EST) trade deadline that they finally reached agreement.
Everitt said he considered himself every chance to have to go into the pre-season draft until he received a phone call shortly after the deadline.
"It's frustrating, it has been at times, but now it's done, so you don't really consider it now," he said.
While there have been questions over how Everitt, who has a reputation for outspoken and individualistic behaviour, will fit into the Swans' renowned team-first culture, the ruckman said he was ready to lower his profile.
"I've had enough, I've had 14 years of that, so I'm looking forward to just getting up there and just being a dad and playing footy," Everitt said.
"That's one of my main aims, getting out of Melbourne just being able to enjoy that kind of life and being able to play some footy."
Post a comment about this article
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Becoming a member is free and easy, sign up here.