Robertson to quit Demons
Discarded by Melbourne, veteran forward Russell Robertson is anxious to keep his AFL career alive with another club.
While he was told his time would be up this season after 13 seasons and 226 games, the 30-year-old is confident he can still produce value for money in the game.
He indicated on Thursday that he would nominate for the 2009 AFL National Draft and 2010 pre-season drafts.
"I'll definitely put my hand up," Robertson said. "As a footballer, I don't think it's over."
Robertson has battled since suffering an Achilles tendon injury in 2008 but returned to play in round six this year and said his trademark high-marking skills were intact.
"Last year I was injured and fought back and I was still able to kick a few goals," he said.
"I snapped my Achilles (but I can still) jump and play 11 games and kick 23 goals (this season), which is competitive," he said.
"As a footballer I do not think it's over. I think there is still some good running left in my legs. I think I have still got some value."
Robertson said it was "kind of hard to hear" when he was told by the bottom-placed Demons he had to move on.
"Obviously my time with Melbourne has finished.
"The club has to move on. Realistically, looking for a premiership, we have to rebuild as a club and find some new kids.
"Unfortunately that means the older fellas have to tip off the other end and I am one of those."
Robertson has kicked 422 goals - the fourth-highest total in the club's history behind David Neitz (631), Norm Smith (546) and Garry Lyon (426).
He made his debut with the Demons in 1997 and won the club's best and fairest in 2003. He led the Demons' goalkicking in 2001, 2005 and 2007.
Robertson is the fourth high-profile player to retire in the past three days after Essendon's Scott Lucas and Sydney pair Leo Barry and Jared Crouch.
His Melbourne teammates Matthew Whelan and Paul Wheatley announced last week that they would be finishing at the end of this season after 10 years with the club.
Post a comment about this article
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Becoming a member is free and easy, sign up here.