Shock end to Geappen's career
June 11th 2010 06:24
Sourced: The Mercury Voice of Tasmania
THE State League's leading goalkicker Brett Geappen dropped a bombshell last night.
He has announced his retirement because of a severe neck injury on the advice of two doctors.
Only days out of hospital, and still wearing a neck brace, the playing coach of reigning premier Clarence broke the news to the shell-shocked Roos.
Geappen's retirement has robbed Tasmanian football of one of its finest players, and puts a dent in Clarence's bid for back-to-back premierships.
"The boys were pretty gutted when I told them the news, and I'm gutted having to retire," Geappen said as he watched the Tasmanian team train at Bellerive Oval last night.
Geappen, who turns 29 next week, kicked 60 goals in the first 10 rounds of the state league season.
He said his retirement was forced upon him after both his doctor and a surgeon told him to pull the pin.
Geappen fell heavily in the Roos' win over North Launceston at Bellerive last Saturday, leaving him with a pins and needles sensation in his right arm.
Geappen's surgeon yesterday told him to retire or face dire consequences.
"He said I couldn't play anymore. That was it," Geappen said.
"I've got a bulging disc above the one I've already had fused.
"There's a bit of blood there from the bulging disc, and there's a hot-spot on my spinal cord, which is a bit scary.
"He said it was too risky. If I get another knock or fall again, it could be permanent."
Geappen believes the Roos will remain on track for back-to-back flags.
"There are four or five others in the side who can fill the void and play the role I've been playing," he said.
Geappen's career is peppered with highlights, including two premierships with Clarence plus winning the Baldock Medal as best afield in last year's grand final win.
Most of his career was spent with the Tasmanian Devils in the VFL, where he played a club record 138 games, was club champion in 2006 and runner-up three times.
Geappen was Devils captain for two seasons and played in 12 VFL finals.
Clarence playing-coach Brett Geappen has announced his retirement from the game on the advice of his doctors. Picture: RAOUL KOCHANOWSKI
He has announced his retirement because of a severe neck injury on the advice of two doctors.
Only days out of hospital, and still wearing a neck brace, the playing coach of reigning premier Clarence broke the news to the shell-shocked Roos.
Geappen's retirement has robbed Tasmanian football of one of its finest players, and puts a dent in Clarence's bid for back-to-back premierships.
"The boys were pretty gutted when I told them the news, and I'm gutted having to retire," Geappen said as he watched the Tasmanian team train at Bellerive Oval last night.
Geappen, who turns 29 next week, kicked 60 goals in the first 10 rounds of the state league season.
He said his retirement was forced upon him after both his doctor and a surgeon told him to pull the pin.
Geappen fell heavily in the Roos' win over North Launceston at Bellerive last Saturday, leaving him with a pins and needles sensation in his right arm.
Geappen's surgeon yesterday told him to retire or face dire consequences.
"He said I couldn't play anymore. That was it," Geappen said.
"I've got a bulging disc above the one I've already had fused.
"There's a bit of blood there from the bulging disc, and there's a hot-spot on my spinal cord, which is a bit scary.
"He said it was too risky. If I get another knock or fall again, it could be permanent."
Geappen believes the Roos will remain on track for back-to-back flags.
"There are four or five others in the side who can fill the void and play the role I've been playing," he said.
Geappen's career is peppered with highlights, including two premierships with Clarence plus winning the Baldock Medal as best afield in last year's grand final win.
Most of his career was spent with the Tasmanian Devils in the VFL, where he played a club record 138 games, was club champion in 2006 and runner-up three times.
Geappen was Devils captain for two seasons and played in 12 VFL finals.
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