Hawthorn winger Tom Scully has retired from the AFL, saying he has lost his passion for the game.
The former No.1 draft pick who also had stints at Melbourne and Greater Western Sydney recently stepped away from training while deciding his future.
“This has been an incredibly difficult decision for me to make as football has been such a big part of my life,” Scully said in a statement on Tuesday.
“I have been thinking for a long period of time now as to my future in the game and after much consideration I have decided now is the best time for me to step away and pursue other interests.
“After 11 seasons in the AFL I understand the demands that this game requires of you.
“And after much thought I know in my heart I have lost the passion and commitment that is required of me to continue.”
The 29-year-old speedster was the top pick at the 2009 draft when signed by Melbourne.
Scully played 31 games in two seasons for the Demons before moving to the Giants, where he played 121 games until being traded to Hawthorn at the end of the 2018 season.
He added a further 35 games for the Hawks, whose interim head of football Rob McCartney said he understands Scully’s reasoning.
“Tom has given his heart and soul to our game for 11 years and he is now ready to switch focus,” McCartney said.
“As a number one draft pick and three-club player, Tom has been an outstanding contributor to the game of AFL and should walk away incredibly proud of the resilience and character he has showed over the years.”
PeteB
Roar Rookie
Giants let both players go for such low picks because they knew they were finished. Hale had a much better record of staying on the park and fitted the side well given where they were positioned at the time. Hawks have had an inflated arrogant view of their ability to rejuvenate injured and damaged players since their premiership era. If they were in the window it would make sense to gamble on top up players who may give one or two years service at best. But where they have been placed the last few years their recruitment and list management policies have denied logic.
Mr Right
Roar Rookie
How was he a certainty to fail? He kicked over 40 goals for GWS in 2016 & then again in 2017. I remember reading Hawks supporters saying the same thing about David Hale when he came across from North in 2011. But he had 5 good seasons with the Hawks. It's not as if they have him on $750K & have given away a first round draft pick. The only certainty was they needed a key forward & whoever they brought in would come with some risk.
Mr Right
Roar Rookie
My hat off to him for making that call before his club/media/fans called for it. Not a dream way to retire but how many of us would have liked to be drafted @ 1 & play finals football. Good luck to you Tom, I hope there is future for you in an athletic type coaching role. You were a natural athlete.
PeteB
Roar Rookie
Why choose players who are an absolute certainty to fail ?
Mr Right
Roar Rookie
Hawthorn were then & still are in desperate need of a power forward. Yes there were so many 198cm 100kg forwards going around @ $350K per season being traded for 4th round draft picks. They should have gone with one of the many others available at that time.
bagley
Roar Rookie
Philips will fill that role, its not all doom and gloom, Tom Mitchell and Jarman Impey will be better, I think the longer quarters will suit as well.
Boo
Guest
Good luck to him gee Melbourne have had a few no one picks that ended at other clubs.
Blitz
Guest
Gaff had another great season even with 16m quarters, he didn’t come to the bench at all in some games.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Hawks have had their share of wins with cheap pick ups over the years. Bound to score a couple that didn't work.
Hawks12
Guest
Pete b. Yes tend to agree a touch of arrogance unfortunately. But success at times can bring arrogance otherwise u don’t get more success. Just have to use it wisely and not too much
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
It’s unfortunate but I hope Scully is able to get his mind right in his retirement. It was an extremely ugly leg break
Brian
Guest
Scully's 2020 was hampered by the 16 minute quarters, He needs 20+ minutes to run the other winger into the ground. To be fair to Clarkson you would never have picked him up for 16 minute quarters
Dean
Guest
Scully moving on will benefit the Hawks in the long run. Phillips takes one wing and imo Day should take the other and CJ takes Day's spot. Will give the Hawks a lot more run plus give regular opportunities to the young brigade. Also have Maginess, Downie and Moore that can all play on the wing.
PeteB
Roar Rookie
Cost you two places on your list that could have been invested elsewhere. Why waste two places on guaranteed failures when there is potential for something better, possibly a future champion. The Hawks recruiting and list management since 2016 has been baffling to say the least. Is it some sort of arrogance and lazy thinking that has infiltrated the place after those years of success ?
Rob
Guest
I like the way 120 of his 180 games have been described as a "stint" with GWS lol. Good luck to him whatever path he takes from here.
Hawks12
Guest
Our fall down the ladder has nothing to do with Patton or Scully. Both cost us nothing. Scully was never going to get a look in this year based on last years effort. Running lots of klm’s and afraid of contact won’t keep u in the top grade. Selling the farm for omeara and Wingard and not going to draft earlier is what is going to slow our climb back up the ladder. Let’s just hope we can get some quality in this year and following years draft picks
LeoFromFreo
Guest
Scully cost the Hawks nothing, plus he gave them 21 games the year after breaking his leg.
Pope Paul VII
Roar Rookie
Handy player. Nearly got GWS over the line in 2016.
Brian
Guest
Good luck to GWS they really sold us up the river with Patton and Scully. Now lost Smith, Henderson & Scully no idea who will run up and down the wing. No AFLW side, bottom 4 again coming up its almost like we're taking a 10 year holiday based on recent glories.
Christo the Daddyo
Roar Rookie
Takes a lot of guts to make that decision at that age. Good luck to him.