Bulldogs part ways with West

The career of one of the Western Bulldogs’ favourite sons, Scott West has come to a sad end as he learned he would not receive another year at the AFL club.

West, 33, who had publicly stated he wanted to play on, was told of his fate by coach Rodney Eade and the club’s match committee in what was believed to be an emotional meeting this afternoon.

A club statement confirmed the news, with the club saying West was “no longer a required player due to their focus on developing youth.”

Despite the Bulldogs producing their best year in a decade, their seven time club best fairest champion has been frustrated by a lingering knee stress fracture.

The 324 game veteran, who had missed just eight games in 15 seasons could only manage four matches this year.

He tried valiantly to overcome the knee problem in time to play in the club’s finals, but pictures of him hobbling for VFL team Williamstown showed he was in no shape to make a comeback.

“Westy has been an integral part of our leadership group and it has been devastating to see someone who has played so many years with minimal injuries to finish his career in such frustrating way,” football manager James Fantasia said.

“He is regarded as one of our all time great players and we hope to honour him in the coming months the way a Club legend should be honoured.”

West is a Bulldogs Team of the Century member, earned All Australian selection five times, played in the International Rules Series in 1999 and 2000 and was twice runner up in the Brownlow medal.

In a quirk of timing, teammate Adam Cooney was celebrating his Brownlow triumph today while West received the bad news.

Ruckman Peter Street was also told today he was no longer wanted by the club.

Despite improving his game in the VFL this season, Street was unable to bump recruit Ben Hudson from the senior side.

Street played just one game for the Dogs this year.

Meanwhile Collingwood has dumped onballer Brodie Holland.

Holland, 28, could only manage one game for the Magpies this year after battling an Achilles complaint.

After playing 155 games with the Magpies and Fremantle in 11 seasons, Holland said he would like to continue his career at a third AFL club.

Youngsters Sam Iles and Chris Egan were also let go by the Magpies, bringing the number of changes to the club’s list to six following the retirements of captain Scott Burns, Shane Wakelin and Ryan Lonie.

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