Former North Melbourne captain Andrew Swallow has retired with a year left on his AFL contract after failing to secure a move to Gold Coast.
The 30-year-old had hoped to join younger brother David at the Suns and had the Kangaroos’ blessing to explore his options.
But the expansion club opted not to take him on ahead of Thursday’s second list lodgement deadline.
Swallow’s decision to hang up the boots follows what he has described as one of the most challenging years of his career.
The 224-game veteran was twice dropped to the VFL by the rebuilding Kangaroos and managed just 16 senior games.
“It was a very tough decision to make and it’s with a heavy heart that I’ve chosen to end my AFL career today,” Swallow said.
“I’ve been fortunate to have had a 12-year career with North and I owe a lot to the club for investing in me not only as a player, but also as a person.”
A three-time club best and fairest, Swallow won a reputation as a tough and valued inside midfielder during his best years.
The Perth native increasingly struggled with the speed of the game and was ineffective last season when moved forward.
Kangaroos coach Brad Scott praised Swallow’s leadership after taking over from Brent Harvey in 2012 as captain – a position he held until last year when Jack Ziebell took over.
“There have been few players as brave and determined as Andrew,” Scott said.
“He was an inspirational and dedicated leader that led by example with his tenacity, uncompromising attack on the ball and man, and his professionalism both on and off the field.”
With small forward Lindsay Thomas delisted earlier this month, North will field one of the AFL’s youngest lists next season.
Paul D
Roar Guru
It sure is, and therefore you shouldn't be concerned how I choose to waste my time. It is mine to waste, after all. Thanks for reading.
Kangajets
Guest
Paul We just have differing opinions As for fascinations, if Brisbane ain’t floating your boat using an avatar as a Melbourne demon fan isn’t much of a step up. All the best to your footy team whichever it may be I have no wish to see any team relocate , it’s just off season blog dribble . Cheers
Kangajets
Guest
Swallow was a tough nut And much admired player , but it was time to go .
Stephen
Guest
Agree Don. Brayshaw's absence has been under-rated.
Kangajets
Guest
Swannies I’m not sure that you are old enough or mature enough to remember south Mrlbourne and the Sydney Swans first 20 years If the afl hadn’t saved Sydney Swans with financial handouts for 20 years , you would not have a club . But yes you would because you support Richmond now and hawthorn 2 years ago . Bandwagon anyone How’s buddy’s dynasty going for you ?
Paul D
Roar Guru
You seem to have a fascination with me! Given you've been ardently following me you should know what I'm about to say, as it’s the same response every time someone decides to play the man rather than the ball and attack my team – Brisbane are the only team in Brisbane, North are one of 9 teams servicing Melbourne. Brisbane isn't getting wound up or scrapped, ever.
Stephen
Guest
Agree with all that Cat - for what's its worth.
Kangajets
Guest
Paul Yet no one in Queensland cares a hoot abt Afl. So the Lions could be scrapped from the league within 5 years .
Cat
Roar Guru
Swannies
Guest
North's survival plan is get rid of Scott and relocate to Tasmania. They will not be around in Melbourne beyond 2025...
Don Freo
Guest
So many people love to hate James Brayshaw. None of these issues existed under his leadership.
Cat
Roar Guru
Sorry Stephen, I should have been clear, my reply was in response to mattyb, not you. There will always be clubs weak for periods of time. It's true in every sports league in the world. What the AFL need to do is ensure the 'down periods' are cyclical and short lived. There will always be a club that over-estimates their list, or a club that appoints a bad board or fails to change with the times. It is up to the AFL to provide the tools for clubs to be able to dig themselves out. It's then up to clubs to help themselves. Certainly clubs and the AFL have gotten better at this. The most vulnerable clubs today are still much better off than the vulnerable clubs were 30 years ago. AFL house itself is also in a much stronger position to not allow any club to get 'too bad'. I will say the AFL have been way too slow in helping Brisbane though. They should never have been allowed to go this long without elite training facilities.
Stephen
Guest
Hang-on Cat. AFL Equalisation is open to all those in need at the time. The system currently straddles all 18 clubs. I didn't intend in my commentary to limit the beneficiaries to the 10 Victorian clubs only. That wasn't the intent. Philosophically, I share the AFL's commitment to ensuring the survival of all 18 clubs. Period. The point I was trying to make - if responsible for a club that is dependant on AFL support - I would be searching within for a more sustainable solution. Further to your point - that solution would involves a range of efforts to find new and creative ways of: - broadening club membership - strategic alliances with sponsors. Hawthorn/Tasmania - reviewing home venues for better commercial outcomes - monetising fan engagement via websites etc. etc. - working more closely with the governing body on improved commercial outcomes like Shanghai I am interested in the big picture. Not much point of club membership - if my team has no one to play against.
Cat
Roar Guru
And who do you think supported Port Adelaide, who was broke and needing emergency funding just a couple years ago? Who is funding Brisbane, Gold Coast and GWS? It sure isn't 'only non-vic' clubs. Its far too simplistic to say Vic teams are supported by non-vic teams. The truth is there are strong teams in and out of Vic and there are weak teams in and out of Vic. Once again you have failed to show any logical reasoning why 10 teams in Vic is too many other than the usual straw man 'national competition' nonsense. You talk a big game but you never actually come up with anything approaching useful solutions.
Stephen
Guest
Yes beepee! That could have been me making your post. The whole Bradley Scott rebuild commentary - has just become code for - 'take the pressure off me while we're less competitive'. If he was serious about rebuilding - would he still have the oldest player in the comp (Waite) on a fresh contract? And what about Majak Daw? He's been taking a spot on the list for eight years (Rookie draft 2010). Eight years! And we still don't know if he can play or not. The Goldstein contract - $800k a year. Hard to believe and possibly not the fault of the coach. And these crazy - Ron Joseph 1970's style offers for Martin and Kelly. Not very strategic. And must leave the rest of the players at NM scratching their heads. Our game needs NM in good shape. It doesn't help - and I respect his opinion - when Terry Wallace comes out yesterday, claiming North's list is by far the weakest in the comp. Doesn't help the push for members and sponsors over the off-season. All this from a club that sat on top of the ladder after Round 10 - 2016. I hope things turn around - and they can quickly - there's always hope. But with the slippery B. Scott at the helm - I have my doubts.
Stephen
Guest
Agree Mattyb. I guess it gets back to the AFL Equalisation system. Which broadly involves the more 'popular' clubs being awarded prime-time viewing slots and blockbuster games. Therefore maximizing gate receipts and television rights. The AFL then acknowledge this by compensating the 'non-blockbuster' clubs with cash from an ever-growing revenue base. The argument against this system - is the 'non-blockbuster' clubs will be forever dependant on AFL handouts. Same argument for any welfare system I guess. So-far this has been the solution to club liquidity and financial survival. And the AFL - in their defence and to their credit - have made it clear, the governing body is committed to and can afford to support all 18 clubs. If I was a director of one of the clubs you list above - I would be looking internally for a more sustainable solution. Life changes. And who can guarantee the AFL Commission won't wake up one day and change the rules around club compensation? In this age of sustainability. Is the current system workable long-term? Only yes I suspect - if the current system remains in place. And for that - there are no personal guarantees.
beepee
Guest
Yes. in fact, all the culling and drama at North has ultimately been to cover up Scott's inadequate performances as coach. Careers have been sacrificed to save his position, and all for what? Continuing the downward spiral, dwindling supporter base, and a long road ahead to rebuild. No, Scott's time was up a long time ago, and too much damage has been done.
Paul D
Roar Guru
I don't think there's many people still crying about Fitzroy. The Lions belong to Brisbane now. If you want to watch Fitzroy they're playing in the VAFA
Stephen
Guest
Point taken Mattyb. And the game/AFL have grown to the point where its affordable to ensure financially struggling clubs are given the appropriate level of support. So that debate is becoming less relevant I think. To your point re the 10 Victorian clubs - I guess it then becomes a proactive, strategic, financial and emotional decision by the board and members. Do we remain in Melbourne and continue to maximize local support? Or are alternate options worthy of consideration? One thing I learnt from the Hawthorn/Melbourne and Footscray/Fitzroy merger attempts - is that emotional attachments are enormous. Perhaps what Hawthorn and NM are doing now in Tasmania - provides a good balance between maintaining home-base, coupled with the additional income streams available from interstate games.
Mattyb
Guest
Stephen,your obviously correct,using the word never on an opinion website is outrageously short sighted. The possibility that the clubs from around Australia will have to support the VFL clubs is large going forward. If North go you still have St.Kilda,Melbourne,WB and Carlton needing to be supported,arguably Hawthorn if they face a rough patch. In a business sense GC and GWS are possibly worth investing in,VFL clubs outside Collingwood,Essendon and Richmond face a slippery slope with their chances of growth hindered by to many clubs in one area of the country.