Power midfielder hangs up the boots

Dynamic Port Adelaide mdfielder Stuart Dew has officially retired from football, informing his teammates of his decision on Monday.

The 27-year-old played 180 AFL games across the Power’s first ten seasons in the AFL, including the premiership in 2004.

Dew said he had made the decision because he didn’t feel he could commit himself at 100 percent to next season.

“The last nine or 12 months I haven’t enjoyed my football the way I used to,” Dew said.

“I’ve weighed up my options and I feel it’s not fair on anyone – that’s myself, the club, my teammates, the supporters – to play on if I’m not 100 percent into it.

“I have got a year on my contract and I could have played on and gone through the motions but I’m not that kind of person and I’d rather give that opportunity to someone else.

“I’m moving on to a different challenge, whatever that is, I’m not sure yet. I’ll take some time out. I’ve had ten years of this life and of living a schedule so I’m looking forward to a bit of randomness and then in the next six to 12 months I’ll work out what’s next.

“The decision not to play is nothing to do with any external things or people. It’s my own decision and it wasn’t just made overnight.

“Part of the reasoning is that I think my ten years have been unbelievable and in my eyes I don’t think I would change a thing. We’ve had a fantastic group and we went through some of the biggest disappointments and then the biggest achievement. The ten years here have been a great experience in life and I think I am a better person for it.”

Power coach Mark Williams expressed the club’s disappointment at losing Dew but maintained the door would always be open for him.

“Stuart Dew is a class footballer and a quality person and we’re disappointed for the club, our supporters and for Stuart that he no longer has the passion to continue in football,” Williams said.

“He had a contract for next year and we would have loved him to play on but he’s made the decision that he can’t commit 100% to the game and feels it would be unfair on us to play on like that.

“His left foot was just a wonderful thing and he could kick a freakish goal as well as anyone I’ve ever seen. We’re not going to see that any more and that’s a sad thing for football.

“Off the field he represented so much of what this club is about. He was often the last one signing autographs for fans or having that extra kick of the footy with kids at a coaching clinic. He put hours into his website column for fans. He was so popular with supporters especially the kids for the way he played and the way he handled himself off the field.

“Stuart leaves Port Adelaide as a premiership player and will become a life member for his ten years service this year. He has well and truly left his mark on our club.

“While we can’t hide our disappointment at losing such a respected player and person, the door is always open for Stuey at the Port Adelaide Football Club.”

Only two players (Warren Tredrea and Peter Burgoyne) played more games than Dew in the Power’s first decade in the AFL. He is the Power’s second highest goalkicker in the AFL and won the club’s goalkicking in 2002. He played in both the club’s pre-season premiership sides as well as its inaugural AFL grand final win.

Circumstances prevailing, supporters will have the chance to farewell Dew at one of the club’s early home games next year.

Stuart Dew

Port Adelaide 1997 – 2006: 180 AFL games, 245 goals
Port Adelaide zone selection 1996 from Central District
Premiership side 2004
Pre-season premiership side 2001, 2002
Leading goalkicker 2002
AFL Rising Star nominee 1998