Senior coach Ross Lyon has commended Fremantle life member Garrick Ibbotson for making the tough decision to call time on his AFL career as Freo looks to focus on youth in their rebuild.
Ibbotson told Lyon of his intentions to retire in a visit to his office, prior to informing his teammates on Tuesday afternoon.
“There was no prompting, Garrick just walked in. I was with (general manager of football operations) Chris Bond and he just asked to talk to us,” Lyon said.
“It was a sad moment but it was a good moment.
“Throughout the year, Garrick saw that he wasn’t playing and we’re on a rebuild - so everyone can take control of their own situation.
“Everyone’s got their own destiny in their control.“
Ibbotson last played for Fremantle against Adelaide in round 10 but Lyon believed it would be too much to expect the defender to be ready for a farewell game against Essendon.
“It would be unlikely, I think it would be hard to do mentally” Lyon said.
“Garrick’s career has been built with 177 games after coming in as a 17-year-old. I thought he spoke really well yesterday.”
With Fremantle having a strong policy on players’ off-field education, Lyon said he was pleased that Ibbotson has built up his skill-set for retirement.
“What’s important he’s taken the opportunity to build his life out of football,” Lyon said.
“After one more year of study he’ll graduate (at Curtin University).
“He’s married and has a child on the way, the biggest part of his life is to come.
“It’s not about a last game for Garrick, he worked really hard and has had a really strong career and he has played at a really high level for us and in my time here, he’s been an important cog.”
