Dean Solomon today announced his retirement from the AFL
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Injury has forced rugged Fremantle utility Dean Solomon to end his AFL career after 12 years and 209 games.
The 30-year-old played 51 games for Fremantle after being recruited from Essendon at the end of 2006.
Solomon made his AFL debut in 1998, playing 158 games for the Bombers, including the club’s 2000 premiership.
General manager of football operations Chris Bond said today that a degenerative condition in Solomon’s right knee had led to his decision to retire.
“We all know how Dean has played the game throughout his career and his body has succumbed to that style of play,” Bond said.
Bond said that after a reviewing a recent specialist’s report and following discussions between Solomon and the club it was decided that immediate retirement was in the best interests of the player’s long-term health.
“Dean has exhausted all avenues of treatment, and such was the condition of his knee that the specialist’s advice was that he should not play another game,” he said.
While Solomon will not complete his one-year playing contract, Bond said that he would still have an off-field role with the club.
“We are looking forward to Dean working with our coaching and development staff in 2010,” he said.
Last year on the eve of his 200th game, Solomon described how he cherished reaching such a milestone.
"It's something that probably doesn't happen for a lot of players these days and I'm very grateful for the opportunity that I've been given," Solomon said at the time.
"Especially for my family, more so than anyone, the opportunity they've given me through my younger days to play AFL footy and then come this far is a great reward for them.
"I grew up in Broken Hill, which is outback NSW, and just to play one game was a great effort for me and to come this far is something I'm very proud of."
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