Tough-nut Melbourne defender to hang up the bootsRETIRING Melbourne defender Matthew Whelan will end his AFL career as the first Indigenous Demons player to play 150 games.
The Northern Territorian ends his 10-year AFL career on Sunday when he laces up for the last time when the Dees play St Kilda at the MCG.
And, like the latter stages of his career, Whelan's departure has an injury cloud hovering over it. He is fighting a hamstring strain to be fit for Sunday's clash, an injury he suffered in last weekend's match against Carlton. He will be given until the 11th hour to prove his fitness.
It wasn't always like this. At his peak, Whelan epitomised the hardness of footballers from the Top End; crossing codes and playing virtual year round seasons.
Always keen to spruik the Territory, Whelan said AFL clubs would do well to increase their presence in the north.
"I believe there are a lot of people up in Darwin who can play AFL football but probably struggle to leave their family," Whelan (pictured, at left, with former Dee Shannon Motlop, and current Demons player Aaron Davey) said yesterday. "When I was 18 or 19, I said to my old man: 'I'm going interstate to play footy'. He told me I wasn't. I said: 'I've already organised it'. So I went to South Australia first. I am proud that I actually wanted something, went after it and achieved it, so that's something I'm most proud of."
Whelan is one of six Indigenous players on Melbourne's 2009 list, the most at the foundation club at any one time. The others are Jamie Bennell, Aaron Davey, Neville Jetta, Liam Jurrah and Austin Wonaeamirri.
Whelan has grown into his role as mentor to youngsters coming through, like that which was shown him by former Demons Scott Chisholm and Jeff Farmer when he first started at the club after being the 50th pick in the 1999 national draft.
"I lived with Scott Chisholm in my first year and I'm thankful for him, for taking me in and looking after me and Jeff Farmer, who basically taught me everything I know about small forwards," Whelan said.
"I used to play on (Farmer) at training a fair bit and he gave me some great advice and what he hated small backmen doing to him, so that's what I tried to take into games and do to other small forwards. I'm indebted to those two.
"When you first come from interstate you get homesick very easily -- not just for indigenous kids -- but the fact we've got five other Indigenous kids at the club makes life a lot easier for them."
While AFL footy for Whelan is over after Sunday, he won't be totally lost from footy, although he was a little coy about where exactly.
"I'm going to play somewhere at a lower level. I'm not too sure where, but we'll just wait and see what happens. I've had a few offers that have come my way," he said.
Ban stays: Buddy loses appealHAWTHORN'S finals prospects dipped considerably last night after the AFL's appeal board upheld the AFL Tribunal's decision to ban Lance Franklin for two matches.
The star Hawk forward was with his defence for the hearing but emerged without the news they were hoping for.
"I'm really disappointed. I was disappointed Tuesday night and nothing's really changed," Franklin said.
DARREN MONCRIEFF
Darren@AboriginalFootball.com.au
Friday, August 28, 2009
Last Modified on 28/08/2009 14:02