AFL legend announces retirement

Greater Western Sydney GIANTS Co-Captain Luke Power has announced his retirement from AFL football after a highly decorated 302 game career.

Power played 20 games for the GIANTS in 2012 and was one of the club’s inaugural captains along with Callan Ward and Phil Davis.

He joined the GIANTS at the end of 2011 after playing 282 games with the Brisbane Lions including their historic 2001-03 premiership teams.

GIANTS Chief Executive David Matthews congratulated Power on an outstanding career with two AFL clubs, both of which he captained.

“Luke is one of the most respected people in the game and has been a wonderful leader for our young players on and off the field over the past 12 months,” Matthews said.

“He showed this year that he was still capable of playing very good football and his 300th game against Melbourne in Canberra was a great highlight for him and the GIANTS. He will always have a special place in the history of this club as one of its inaugural captains.

“We look forward to him to now moving into a full-time coaching role with the GIANTS and continuing to provide leadership and support to help develop our young playing group.”

Power thanked the GIANTS for giving him an opportunity to continue his playing career and move into an assistant coaching role.

“A year ago when I retired from the Brisbane Lions I probably wasn’t equipped to go in to a role in coaching or in football. Under the tutelage of a lot of people this year I’ve learned a lot about the game, a lot about myself and about teaching young players. I’m looking forward to getting in to the next stage of my life,” he said.

“I think it’s the right time. I was pretty happy with what we were able to achieve this year and the best thing for me is what is best for the group going forward.

“To get to 300 games was fantastic. It’s an amazing milestone and I think it shows my longevity in the game and professionalism in being able to get up for a large number of games. That’s probably something that I’m most proud of.

“I’m really proud of the past but I’meven more excited about the future.”

LUKE POWER CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Drafted by the Brisbane Lions with pick number five in 1997

302 AFL Games – 282 with the Brisbane Lions, 20 with the GIANTS

AFL Premierships with the Brisbane Lions 2001, 2002, 2003

All-Australian 2004

Brisbane Lions Co-Captain 2007–2008

GIANTS Co-Captain 2012