Aaron Davey Retires

[KingSlayer33 170]

...

Was at that game against Kangas in Canberra where he turned it on in the pre-season and we all realised we needed to do something to get him upgraded on the list.

...

I was at that game too DA. If I remember correctly it was stinking (and I mean stinking 38ish) hot. He showed some skills that day that luckily we all got to see on a bigger stage than Manuka.

Thanks for the memories Aaron.

[Paul Prympke 14]

He was clearly the proto-type for the current day small forward and can no doubt claim to have left a legacy on the current game more than any other Melbourne player in the last 30 years. Before people jump at me, I am not talking about our greatest player in the last 30 years, but a person who has brought about a fundamental change in the way the game is played. His forward pressure when it first came in to the game was revolutionary and I can't remember a time before that when opposition defenders were made to think twice when they got the ball becuase of the likelihood of being chased down from behind.

Well done Flash, I feel as though we didn't get to see you reach your peak for long enough, but when you were up there it was brilliant.

[pitmaster 3,163]

Any of you pr*$#s feeling a twinge of guilt now?

He redefined the role of the small forward.

His battles with injury have clearly taken their toll.

I am glad to see the almost universal break out of respect on this forum.

Too bad his last game might be at Etihad, since it says he will retire at the end of the season.

[Geddy Lee 582]

Any of you pr*$#s feeling a twinge of guilt now?

He redefined the role of the small forward.

His battles with injury have clearly taken their toll.

I am glad to see the almost universal break out of respect on this forum.

Too bad his last game might be at Etihad, since it says he will retire at the end of the season.

The highest paid Sub in the history of the position. (400k/y?)

Nearly reinvented himself as a scythe-like kick out of the backline, but fell away again.

Was a very good player for the bulk of his career. Good time to call it a day.

[Vagg 2,425]

Well done, Flash! Thanks for the memories!

[drdrake 3,066]

Sad to see him go, thought he may have had another year in him. Don't like the heading on the club article "Davey retires from the Demons", that says he is leaving the club to play somewhere else or the club has retired him. Why can't things like this be clean, I know no player wants to retire but it would be nice if our players can retire on their own terms.

[beelzebub 22,776]

I honestly cant see Aaron's career progressing anywhere playing in the AFL come 2014. Thats not meant as a slight, just a pretty fair observation of where hes at.

Edited August 20, 2013 by belzebub59

[drdrake 3,066]

Watching Davey this year has been good, a couple of times he has just missed a big hit, I reakon last game he is just going to start a monster all in brawl, he will go down swinging, the footage might look like Dale Kickett exploading against the eagles in a western Derby.

[beelzebub 22,776]

"Melbourne is already in talks with the 30-year-old to remain at the club in a mentoring role for the young players.

"We want to keep him involved at the Melbourne football club. He has got a lot to offer the AFL and Melbourne football club going forward,'' football manager Josh Mahoney said."

http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/melbourne-star-aaron-davey-announces-his-retirement-from-afl/story-fndv8pdq-1226700563164

I dont think as a club we handled this one wrong.

[Norm Smith's Curse 2,087]

An amazing and exciting player to watch on his day in those halcyon Daniher days.

[Rogue 585]

I was frustrated by Davey's recent seasons (I bet he was too), but overall I've really enjoyed watching him play and will remember him as an exciting, skillful player who gave me more reason than most to cheer.

[dazzledavey36 49,907]

One of my all time favourites. He was absolutely electrifying in his early days and loved him ever since

Well done on a fantastic career and a proud servent of the MFC!

All the best Aaron!

[dee-luded 2,958]

thanks Aaron for you exciting play, & for hanging in there after some turbulent years... I think you've timed it right for what its worth. & I'm glad we gave you your career @ Melbourne, even if during a difficult time in our history.

I'd like to think you could help out with our small players sometime in the future.

[Whispering_Jack 28,136]

The end of a sensational career.

Well done Flash.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

1 line about his great career. 2 lines about how he should be going. Pathetic supporting.

Spoke to Flash at Jurrah's Book function and he told me his knee was stuffed. He said as he relied on his pace and evasive skills he would never be the same. That started his decline. This is the right move for Flash and he announces it in his way and that is good for him and the club. Hope he can stay around as a mentor and also as an assistant in coaching and recruiting.

already.

Stuie, I said it was the right decision and its based on exactly on what Redleg said. He has a stuffed knee. He knows. Smart supporters know it....but you dont. Not surprising.

And a good post on the topic Redleg. As a 10 year player and a B&F winner...deserves his life membership.

[Jaded No More 60,442]

Just heard on SEN he has not ruled out playing for another club.

I guess you have to get an offer first.

But sounds like his not retiring from AFL just the MFC.

Pushed?

Rubbish. Mahoney said they are looking at offering him a job at the club. He is retiring from footy. He just said he's retiring from MFC because some players actually associate themselves with the club proudly.

Take note Watts.

[Dockett 32 1,213]

Spoke to Flash at Jurrah's Book function and he told me his knee was stuffed. He said as he relied on his pace and evasive skills he would never be the same. That started his decline. This is the right move for Flash and he announces it in his way and that is good for him and the club. Hope he can stay around as a mentor and also as an assistant in coaching and recruiting.

Congrats and well done on a great career, probably only curtailed by injury. One of our most popular players in his heyday.

I am proud to say along with WJ, we were there at the start, having seen him play at Port Melbourne and pushing on Demonland, for us to take him. We were thrilled when the club did and loved watching him play, especially when he was at his peak.

Enjoy your retirement Flash.

Will get Life Membership, if he hasn't already.

Echo all of that and one club player ( after a little negotiation) to boot. Signs were evident last year, so smart decision and leaves with head held high.

Good job, very handy career.

[dees189227 11,383]

Im confused. On the radio on the way home the reporter said he wouldn't rule out going to another club. The same thing was said on ch sport. If you retire then you retire the you retire. Or did he think he was going to get delisted and opted for the retirement announcement instead. I will just be disappointed if he goes somewhere else.

But have great memories of his kicking and his tackling pressure under the daniher days was exciting. .

Edited August 20, 2013 by dees189227

[Return to Glory 7,869]

So many wonderful memories of a young man who came in as a mature age player and quickly (as has been said) revolutionized the way small forward played the game. Scintillating on his day and there were quite a few of those.

I hear that we are keen to transition him to a role within the club and that, more than so many other things, will go a way to establishing a culture of solidarity and encourage retired players to remain within the fold. Great career Flash. All the best.

[Deespicable 2,574]

"Melbourne is already in talks with the 30-year-old to remain at the club in a mentoring role for the young players.

"We want to keep him involved at the Melbourne football club. He has got a lot to offer the AFL and Melbourne football club going forward,'' football manager Josh Mahoney said."

http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/melbourne-star-aaron-davey-announces-his-retirement-from-afl/story-fndv8pdq-1226700563164

I dont think as a club we handled this one wrong.

If you read the link above, it would seem this time Melbourne did the right thing by a veteran player - so there's no need for others to try and turn this into some James McDonald type situation.

Interesting to hear that he also had knee issues - he kept that fairly quiet, but while like every player I'm sure he wanted to play on, realistically he probably knew his body couldn't cope with AFL level anymore - hence his suggestion he may still play games up in NT with his brothers.

The good thing is that our fans and the media have always treated him like a star since he arrived on the scene in 2005 and after his B&F he was given a really highly-paid contract - most reports say he was on close to $550,000 a year.

He was a revelation back in his early days and unfortunately the game is now more suited to bigger bodies as tackling is no longer just about running someone down - it's a way of life for much of the game.

He can still thread the needle, as he did when he came on last Sunday with a couple of ripper passes, but he just can't do it as much as he used to.

[maximum bob 462]

Thanks Flash...selling the dummy, the twist and baulk, pressure tackling and wrong foot bananas are right up there. Enjoy bringing up five kids!

[Flying Cloud 152]

Thanks Flash.

[DemonWA 3,669]

Just watched his press conference. What a legend.

[Lil_red_fire_engine 10,503]

Spoke to Flash at Jurrah's Book function and he told me his knee was stuffed. He said as he relied on his pace and evasive skills he would never be the same. That started his decline. This is the right move for Flash and he announces it in his way and that is good for him and the club. Hope he can stay around as a mentor and also as an assistant in coaching and recruiting.

Congrats and well done on a great career, probably only curtailed by injury. One of our most popular players in his heyday.

I am proud to say along with WJ, we were there at the start, having seen him play at Port Melbourne and pushing on Demonland, for us to take him. We were thrilled when the club did and loved watching him play, especially when he was at his peak.

Enjoy your retirement Flash.

Will get Life Membership, if he hasn't already.

Just watching his highlight reel on the MFC site and its easy to forget how quick and elusive he was prior to his knee taking away that edge. Not many players can say they changed the way footy was played. I think he can.

[Mozzie Bear 23]

thanks for the memories - I will miss you and wish you all the best in the future. I would love to see him remain at the club in some capacity.