-
IMPORTANT // Please look after your loved ones, yourself and be kind to others. If you are feeling that the world is too hard to handle there is always help - I implore you not to hesitate in contacting one of these wonderful organisations Lifeline and Beyond Blue ... and I'm sure reaching out to our PRE community we will find a way to help. T.
Tony Free
- Thread starter schuey2003
- Start date
A few years ago I believe he was coaching Prahran u18s (before they became Sandringham u18s).
He was onstage at the jumper presentation at the 2003 family day.
Ready
He was onstage at the jumper presentation at the 2003 family day.
Ready
Freezer was at the legends game this year.
A great player whose career was effectively ended by an act of thuggery by one Dermott Brereton!!
A great player whose career was effectively ended by an act of thuggery by one Dermott Brereton!!
Gordietiger said:
Was it a broken jaw or 'crook' knee that ended his career?
Wasn't Tony Free selling BUM sportswear at one stage?
Last sesson, Tony coached Yarraville in the Western Region Football League. Over the summer, he, along with a few players have left that club and at the moment he hasn't been heard of by that club.
He had a very uninspiring year as coach. Very quiet and reserved and his team didn't perform. I am an umpire in this league, and after one game i went to try and speak to him about the game and he was too interestd playing with some toddlers than to speak for a couple of minutes about the days game.
First time that a coach didn't want to speak to me, as all others, and many player/officials at Yarraville, are very approachable.
He had a very uninspiring year as coach. Very quiet and reserved and his team didn't perform. I am an umpire in this league, and after one game i went to try and speak to him about the game and he was too interestd playing with some toddlers than to speak for a couple of minutes about the days game.
First time that a coach didn't want to speak to me, as all others, and many player/officials at Yarraville, are very approachable.
SkillsSipthorp said:
I recall that he came off the MCG in the early game against Geelong in 1995 with a bung knee. I remember him having his jaw broken by Dermie in late 1994.
As I've said before, the Dr who operated on both Tony and Scotty Turner did more damage to the club than any coach could have.
Phantom said:
I'm guessing the same doctor wasn't recalled to assist Matthew Richardson? Or was it the same person?
Brereton got 7 weeks for that bit of thuggery!
I think Free suffered again from a broken jaw but it was against Brisbane that he required a knee reco. I remember my mate saying, "uh, oh, that could be it for Tony". Damn him, he was correct.
If he had been playing at the end of 95, we would have got further in the finals!
I think Free suffered again from a broken jaw but it was against Brisbane that he required a knee reco. I remember my mate saying, "uh, oh, that could be it for Tony". Damn him, he was correct.
If he had been playing at the end of 95, we would have got further in the finals!
I just downloaded this from the RFC site:
. . . . Tony had an outstanding 1994 season and looked likely to lead the Tigers into a Finals series, until he was collected by the Swans’ Dermott Brereton. As a result, Tony suffered a broken jaw. Despite sustaining the injury in the second quarter, Tony still played out the game and was one of the Tigers best players such was his commitment. At the time of his injury he was the leading possession winner in the AFL. Bad luck followed him into 1995 when he broke his jaw again during pre-season training and then required a knee reconstruction after injuring himself in Round 5 against Brisbane. He was awarded Life Membership with Richmond in 1996. Tony retired from Richmond in 1996.
. . . . Tony had an outstanding 1994 season and looked likely to lead the Tigers into a Finals series, until he was collected by the Swans’ Dermott Brereton. As a result, Tony suffered a broken jaw. Despite sustaining the injury in the second quarter, Tony still played out the game and was one of the Tigers best players such was his commitment. At the time of his injury he was the leading possession winner in the AFL. Bad luck followed him into 1995 when he broke his jaw again during pre-season training and then required a knee reconstruction after injuring himself in Round 5 against Brisbane. He was awarded Life Membership with Richmond in 1996. Tony retired from Richmond in 1996.
I thought he broke his leg after and kept having problems with it. From memory (please correct me if I'm wrong), they cut part of the leg bone off to shorten it but still didn't help.
As I recall he came back for one match in 1996 against Geelong but it soon became apparent that his leg wasn't able to handle the rigours of AFL anymore.
Was a quick collapse to his career - at the start of 1995 he was a respected captain of a club on the rise and even was beginning to have a media career through the Ch. 7 show '4 Quarters' in 1995.
Was a quick collapse to his career - at the start of 1995 he was a respected captain of a club on the rise and even was beginning to have a media career through the Ch. 7 show '4 Quarters' in 1995.
A terrific player.. inspirational Capt..a pity injuries cut his career short, go the Freezer. 'Go Tiges' :thumbsup :tigerhead
