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Israel Folau has announced that he will quit the AFL and the GWS Giants club, but says he doesn’t know where he’ll be playing in 2013 – with both rugby league and rugby union open as potential options.
GWS announced the move today, with Folau flanked by coach Kevin Sheedy and CEO David Matthews at the hastily arranged press conference.
Matthews said the club supported the decision, and made no comment expressing disappointment or surprise at the decision.
“We wish him the very best for the future and congratulate him on his achievements with us,” Matthews said.
Kevin Sheedy admitted he was “blindsided” by the decision, but wished him well as he reinforced his approach to players as a mentor.
Folau said in his comments, that fundamentally, he didn’t have the passion for the game of AFL. He went on to tell reporters that once he’d realised that lack of drive, he needed to let the club know his decision, despite two years remaining in a lucrative contract.
“It was a pretty hard decision to make and one I’ve been thinking about for awhile,” said Folau.
“I confronted [the club] yesterday to let them know how I was feeling, and it was only fair to let them know so they can move forward. At the moment, I just wanted to let everyone else know and move forward as well.
“I’m proud of what I did the last 2 years. Everyone has their different opinions but at the end of the day its only mine that matters.
“I would not change this experience for anything … it was definitely not a waste of time.
“I have no regrets at all. I definitely have no regrets.”
Folau was asked about his future direction, with reporters keen to know if he’d already signed or spoken with the Parramatta Eels NRL club, as was hotly-rumoured this afternoon.
However, Folau denied he’d signed, repeating that he hasn’t spoken with any clubs and is leaving discussions to his management.
“At this stage, I’ve had no discussions with any clubs at all,” he said.
Folau confirmed that he had played rugby union in his youth and would consider rugby union as well as rugby league as an option for his career.
“I played rugby union when I was younger as well. I’ve got a passion to play that game as well. All options are open.”
Folau’s departure has added fuel to speculation that the Giants will make a play for former Adelaide key forward Kurt Tippett.
Matthews said they regarded Tippett as an “independent consideration” to Folau’s departure, noting that Giants had been in touch with the Adelaide player for some weeks, with renewed interest with the Swans trade falling through.
“Now is the time for us to re-engage in those discussions,” Matthews said.
Contrasting careers: The fortunes of Israel Folau
Age: 23
NRL career:
90 games – 73 tries
2007-08 Melbourne, 52 games – 36 tries
2009-10 Brisbane, 38 games – 37 tries
Representative:
In June 2010, announces a lucrative deal to switch codes and join AFL expansion team Greater Western Sydney
AFL Career
2012 Greater Western Sydney – 13 games – 2 goals
On November 1, announces he’s quitting the AFL as he doesn’t have the passion for the sport.
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