Rex Liddy's AFL career looks over before it barely began, with the Far Northern trailblazer seeking a release from the Gold Coast Suns yesterday. Liddy was the first Cape York product to play in the AFL when he debuted last season, but has opted to leave the game in an effort to balance his life, according to close friend and mentor Rick Hanlon. The Suns yesterday released the Hope Vale talent with the assurance he would continue to have the game's support.
"It’s sad but the reality is that it is not easy being away from family and meeting those demands, whether indigenous or not," Hanlon, who is an indigenous programs manager for AFL in Queensland, said. "I told him he’d be in my system for life and we just want to see him happy and balanced."
Liddy broke through for four senior games for the Suns, including the clash with Richmond in Cairns last season. Hanlon said it was important the 19-year-old father of one was doing what he enjoyed and not playing to meet the expectations of anyone else.
"If your heart’s not in it then there’s no point playing and he certainly shouldn’t be playing if it isn’t for himself," Hanlon said. "He is just trying to find a balance in his life with a young boy and his partner and I guess he was questioning whether he wanted to do it (play AFL)."
Hanlon said he had been in constant touch with his protege in the off season and sensed this decision may have been coming.
"He arrived back at the club not in the best condition and didn’t go to Arizona (on their annual pre-season conditioning trip). So he stayed back and lost 6kg in a week and was working hard, but you could just tell from his responses and how he was that this may have been coming."
Suns football manager Marcus Ashcroft said the club tried to help Liddy rediscover his hunger for the game.
"We completely understand Rex’s position and have been working with him and his manager for some time assisting where we could off the field and trying to reignite his passion," Ashcroft said. "Although disappointed to lose him, we will assist him in his transition back into life away from the Gold Coast Suns and wish him every success in the future."
Hanlon did not discount a return to the game for Liddy, but he said there were more important things than football.
"It’s just a game and I couldn’t care less whether he plays or not, as long as he is happy," Hanlon said.
Read more at http://www.cairns.com.au/article/2011/12/01/194085_local-sport-news.html
Courtesy of The Cairns Post.
Last Modified on 01/12/2011 09:53