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Geelong skipper Tom Harley is holding fire on AFL retirement, saying he’d prefer to savour his side’s remarkable grand final win before announcing any decision on his future.
Harley, 31, has been widely tipped to retire at the end of a season his side proved themselves the AFL benchmark with a second premiership in three years.
But at the club’s post-victory function in Melbourne on Saturday night, Harley was giving little away when asked about his future.
“Let’s just enjoy it for what it is right now,” Harley said to loud shouts of `one more’ from the 700-strong crowd.
“I’ll just really enjoy my time at the moment with the boys.
“I’ll see you all tomorrow at least. We’ll see how it all pans out.”
The Cats have left the decision whether to play on in 2010 up to Harley, and have promised he will not be pushed into retirement unwillingly.
Harley started off a huge fortnight with his side’s 12-point grand final win over St Kilda at the MCG.
His wedding to long-time girlfriend Felicity Percival will be held in two weeks, and his buck’s night is scheduled for next weekend.
Geelong coach Mark Thompson told the function the Cats’ run of three successive grand finals, two flags and two Brownlow Medals in three years did not mark the club’s peak before its decline.
“We can make this club a strong club for many, many years. I don’t believe in just being up there and then burning the candle until the candle goes out,” Thompson said to cheers from the Cats’ faithful.
“We can keep regenerating and continue to be a good strong side every year.
“It’s great to win today, but already my mind’s thinking about 2010.”
The Cats will continue their victory celebrations with a supporters’ day at their Skilled Stadium home ground in Geelong on Sunday.
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