Geelong champion Matthew Scarlett has been hailed as one of the greatest AFL players of all time and one of the most intensely competitive.
The 33-year-old 284-gamer, a linchpin of the Cats’ 2007, 2009 and 2011 premierships, confirmed his retirement on Thursday in low-key style through the Cats’ website.
“Obviously the premierships stand out as highlights, but they would not have been possible unless we all worked together along the way,” Scarlett said.
“I am confident that this will continue in the future with all of the young players that have joined the club in recent years.”
Coach Chris Scott said while he knew from his own playing days how formidable an opponent Scarlett was, his respect only grew once he took over the team.
“I am proud to have coached a player whose attitude was first and foremost all about the team,” Scott said.
“I have no doubt he is a key reason for the team’s unwillingness to ever accept defeat.
“Scarlo refused to be beaten and the other players replicated that determination.
“We have had the privilege of witnessing one of the greatest players of all time.”
Former Cats teammate Gary Ablett backed that view.
“Scarlo is the most competitive person I have ever met,” Ablett said.
“Very rarely did I see him beaten in a contest. In my opinion he will go down as the best fullback of all time.”
Jason Cave
Guest
If I was to name my All Australian team based on the period 1975 (my birth year) to now, there's no doubt I'd have Matthew Scarlett at full back alongside Steve Silvagni and Bruce Doull.Scarlett was one of those players who'd let his footy skills do the talking-his toe poke to Gary Ablett jnr which set up Paul Chapman's goal in the 2009 grand final has now gone down in grand final history.
Ken
Guest
Unfortunately, the people who say things like "greatest full back of all time" do not take into account the players who played before them. Players like Harvey Merrigan, Geoff Southby, Bruce Doull and many others would all show Scarlett a thing or two about how to play the back line.
Dan
Guest
Have heard a number of people including ex players like Tom Harley say he's the greatest full back of all time (better than SOS!). Does that mean he's a lock for the next Team of the Century to be named in 2096?
brendan
Guest
How many players can say they left there club in better shape than when they arrived .Scarlett can.The saddest part about the game against Fremantle wasn't the loss it was i will never get to see Matty Scarlett dashing out of defence after making a forward look stupid.
Pillock
Roar Rookie
Will miss watching him play. I did not realise he was 33 and good to see him go out while still at the top of his game. That run and toe poke he did in the grand final to setup a goal at a cucial time of he game highlighted the fact why he was such a quality player, being able to pull off the big plays on the biggest stage when the match was there to be won. You can't say he won the game however I reckon Geelong would have struggled to have three premierships over the last 5 years if Scarlett wasn't at the back.