THIRTY minutes after Port Melbourne's momentous premiership victory over Williamstown, coach Gary Ayres made the point that his team would never play together again.
There would be retirements, players would move on and others might be drafted, he said.
Ayres' first day back at the club Monday confirmed his post-grand final comments.
He took a phone call from star small forward Patrick Rose, who said he would be stepping away from the VFL.
He is being linked with Wodonga Raiders, who have already recruited his former Williamstown teammates Ben Davies and David Stretton.
Rose was an integral component of Port Melbourne's undefeated season, kicking five goals in the decider and 79 in 21 matches.
It was enough for him to receive the Frosty Miller Medal as the league's leading goalkicker, selection in the VFL team of the year and a place in the hearts of Boroughs supporters who had been starved of premiership success since 1982.
Rose will join Port Melbourne ruckman David Fanning as confirmed departures from their premiership season, with Fanning joining EDFL club Aberfeldie.
Last Modified on 09/11/2011 13:23