Burke posied to retire
04 August 2003 AFL
By BRUCE MATTHEWS
ST KILDA great Nathan Burke is poised for an emotional send-off at Telstra Dome on Saturday night.
It would be the fitting venue for the gallant little Saint to drop the curtain on a grand career of 322 games spanning 17 seasons.
The decorated Saint, forced out yesterday by a thigh injury suffered last week, should be fit to resume against Richmond and he hinted yesterday that it could be his last game.
The away game against the Tigers would give St Kilda fans the opportunity to provide a fitting farewell for Burke rather than wait until one of the last three games at Optus Oval, York Park in Launceston or at Geelong.
Burke, 33, said on Triple M radio yesterday that he would confer with coach Grant Thomas to decide the most appropriate time to retire.
"I'll speak with Grant as we do regularly and we'll work out the best thing for me and the best thing for the footy club. Foremost, the best thing for the footy club and we'll probably make a definite decision one way or another very soon," Burke said.
"In a fairytale world, you would probably hate to finish your career playing at Geelong which is our last game.
"Our second last game is down in Tassie. These are the things we've got to take into consideration and do the right thing by our supporters as well as myself and the footy club. It's just another factor in our decision."
A televised Saturday night game under Telstra Dome's closed roof would be enticing for Saints fans to witness the final game from the courageous former skipper who has won the club best-and-fairest three times and been crowned All-Australian four times.
Burke has nothing left to prove and, with St Kilda unable to make the top eight, his retirement this week would leave a spot for selectors to trial another young player for the last three rounds.
"I've just been carrying a bit of a thigh the last couple of weeks and normally by Thursday it comes good and I can play no worries. But this week it just lingered on a little bit. I'll have one week off and play here next week," he said before yesterday's game against West Coast.
"Whenever it comes to an end, whether it's one year or 17 years, it's pretty emotional. But we'll get on with it, life goes on."
St Kilda believed Burke was preparing to play out the season. But a senior official said plans for a suitable farewell could be arranged if the club record-holder indicated today that he would be prepared to bow out in style on Saturday night.
Burke is even keener to get back into the team, even for one last time, after watching the Saints blast the Eagles at the Dome yesterday.
"We are starting to get a little bit of a home-ground advantage here. We are starting to play this ground better. It has taken three or four years to really get the hang of it," he said.
"You've got to move the ball quickly. It's not a big ground and sides flood back quickly if you move the ball slowly."
04 August 2003 AFL
By BRUCE MATTHEWS
ST KILDA great Nathan Burke is poised for an emotional send-off at Telstra Dome on Saturday night.
It would be the fitting venue for the gallant little Saint to drop the curtain on a grand career of 322 games spanning 17 seasons.
The decorated Saint, forced out yesterday by a thigh injury suffered last week, should be fit to resume against Richmond and he hinted yesterday that it could be his last game.
The away game against the Tigers would give St Kilda fans the opportunity to provide a fitting farewell for Burke rather than wait until one of the last three games at Optus Oval, York Park in Launceston or at Geelong.
Burke, 33, said on Triple M radio yesterday that he would confer with coach Grant Thomas to decide the most appropriate time to retire.
"I'll speak with Grant as we do regularly and we'll work out the best thing for me and the best thing for the footy club. Foremost, the best thing for the footy club and we'll probably make a definite decision one way or another very soon," Burke said.
"In a fairytale world, you would probably hate to finish your career playing at Geelong which is our last game.
"Our second last game is down in Tassie. These are the things we've got to take into consideration and do the right thing by our supporters as well as myself and the footy club. It's just another factor in our decision."
A televised Saturday night game under Telstra Dome's closed roof would be enticing for Saints fans to witness the final game from the courageous former skipper who has won the club best-and-fairest three times and been crowned All-Australian four times.
Burke has nothing left to prove and, with St Kilda unable to make the top eight, his retirement this week would leave a spot for selectors to trial another young player for the last three rounds.
"I've just been carrying a bit of a thigh the last couple of weeks and normally by Thursday it comes good and I can play no worries. But this week it just lingered on a little bit. I'll have one week off and play here next week," he said before yesterday's game against West Coast.
"Whenever it comes to an end, whether it's one year or 17 years, it's pretty emotional. But we'll get on with it, life goes on."
St Kilda believed Burke was preparing to play out the season. But a senior official said plans for a suitable farewell could be arranged if the club record-holder indicated today that he would be prepared to bow out in style on Saturday night.
Burke is even keener to get back into the team, even for one last time, after watching the Saints blast the Eagles at the Dome yesterday.
"We are starting to get a little bit of a home-ground advantage here. We are starting to play this ground better. It has taken three or four years to really get the hang of it," he said.
"You've got to move the ball quickly. It's not a big ground and sides flood back quickly if you move the ball slowly."
