David Neitz retires
by Mat Mackay, WWOS16:00 AEST Mon May 19 2008
Melbourne captain David Neitz has announced his retirement, with a recurring neck injury ending the career of one of the AFL’s most respected footballers.
The 33-year-old veteran of 305 games was clearly emotional as he broke the news… with his decision coming as a crushing blow for the Demons who are enduring one of their worst seasons in history.
"It's been an amazing time, but I am here today to announce my retirement," he said.
After carrying the injury through summer, Neitz’s season came to an immediate halt in a crunching tackle laid by Carlton’s Jarrad Waite.
He left the field immediately and while optimistic of his chances of playing again, the seriousness of the problem became clear only days later, when club officials decided to place their skipper on the Demons' long term injury list, guaranteeing their star a minimum stay on the sidelines of eight weeks.
While far from the exit he’d planned, Neitz will be remembered as one of the game’s greats... with 631 goals for Melbourne he is the Demons all-time games and goals record holder.
He is also the club's longest serving leader – captain since 2000 – and won two All-Australian jumpers, the first as a centre half-back in 1995 and the second as a full-forward in 2002, when he also won the Coleman Medal and Melbourne's best and fairest award.