Brad Symes Announces Retirement

[Bounce of the ball]

Unfortunately for Symes this wasn't the first head knock. Maybe that needs to be taken into account as well. Yes the game has changed but was it that bad ? Least he didn't cop gutless ones from behind or in packs .Ironic.

Are you for real???

Absolutely. Look ..................with all due respects to Symes I do not blame Grocke for his retirement. I think many are being really unfair on him. So yes, very serious.

[Big Phil]

Unfortunately for Symes this wasn't the first head knock. Maybe that needs to be taken into account as well. Yes the game has changed but was it that bad ? Least he didn't cop gutless ones from behind or in packs .Ironic.

Are you for real???

Absolutely. Look ..................with all due respects to Symes I do not blame Grocke for his retirement. I think many are being really unfair on him. So yes, very serious.

I see what you are getting at, but if Grocke didn't do what he did, heat of the battle or not, this thread wouldn't exist...

[Bounce of the ball]

Unfortunately for Symes this wasn't the first head knock. Maybe that needs to be taken into account as well. Yes the game has changed but was it that bad ? Least he didn't cop gutless ones from behind or in packs .Ironic.

You probably "cop gutless ones from behind".

If you have nothing sensible to add footy wise you probably have no idea about footy. Just sayin. These are the ones we all knew about.

[bulldogproud2]

Unfortunately for Symes this wasn't the first head knock. Maybe that needs to be taken into account as well. Yes the game has changed but was it that bad ? Least he didn't cop gutless ones from behind or in packs .Ironic.

Yes, it was that bad!!
Wishing there was a dislike button for comments. An atrocious comment at a time like this.
At the same time, there is no way I would want anyone to try to seek revenge on Grocke. That doesn't solve anything. I am sure that Grocke's conscience is giving him enough trouble already.

[bulldogproud2]

Now to the important thing:

Brad, you have been a champion player and ARE a champion man. Thank you for the wonderful contribution you have given to the Doggies in your playing career. Wishing you all the best for your future career as a husband, father and businessman. Also hoping we will not lose you completely from Central. Your knowledge of the game will be wonderful to pass on to younger Doggies.

[Big Phil]

Well said, in both posts, bulldogproud2...

[Bounce of the ball]

Unfortunately for Symes this wasn't the first head knock. Maybe that needs to be taken into account as well. Yes the game has changed but was it that bad ? Least he didn't cop gutless ones from behind or in packs .Ironic.

Are you for real???

Absolutely. Look ..................with all due respects to Symes I do not blame Grocke for his retirement. I think many are being really unfair on him. So yes, very serious.

I see what you are getting at, but if Grocke didn't do what he did, heat of the battle or not, this thread wouldn't exist...

Of course not . I think it's over the top ...however thats my opinion which I'm entitled to. I think you understand my point Phil.Thanks.

[Bounce of the ball]

Unfortunately for Symes this wasn't the first head knock.

Yeah, something like 8 or 9 concussions from about Under 16's through to senior footy...

Maybe that needs to be taken into account as well. Yes the game has changed but was it that bad ? Least he didn't cop gutless ones from behind or in packs .Ironic.

I never mentioned the Gowans ? You did though.

Lost me on Michael Coad and Andrew Whiteman though .

Now come on matey , if you want to throw it expect it back . You have posted after this yet ignored it. You know why , cos you know Im right.Now don't wrangle it up . You said it not me. So you must think something was going on there . Onya Phil. Youuuuuuuu dogssssss

[luketorrens]

Not good news but a good decision to protect his health.

My young fella had a concussion last year and the neurologist we saw recommended that even after one concussion, that he never play contact sport such as football. This neuro is involved in research into head injuries in AFL and NRL at the moment and said they are expecting an epidemic of brain injuries to show up in players of the past. Blokes who are still young getting dementia and the like. Terrible.

[Big Phil]

Of course not . I think it's over the top ...however thats my opinion which I'm entitled to. I think you understand my point Phil.Thanks.

I really do understand your point but just don't see the need for your secondary comment, regardless of whether people are entitled to opinions, or not...

I actually enjoy some of your opinions but more often than not find myself ignoring them and stupidly biting back at your cheap pot shots or hidden agenda posts...

But, hey, that is just my opinion, which, like you, I am entitled to...

[Big Phil]

Anyway, back to the topic at hand...

Well done to Brad on a pretty good career...

Was never the most skilled player but always gave it his all and was a fantastic role model for the footy club, on and off the field...

Good luck in your future endeavors, Brad...

[johntheclaret]

I think maybe just out of respect for the guy and what he has achieved over his career, posters could just leave messages of good luck and appreciation instead of raking up crap or taking the thread off topic.

If you don't rate him or have other opinions of the bloke then be gracious and don't post them here.

He wasn't a North man so I didn't really take a lot of notice of him, but 99 games for the Dogs and 2 premierships, along with 80 AFL games is an achievement to be proud of and one that many others would like to boast. All I can add to that is good luck to him and commiserations that he missed out on the ton. Ivens at North retired 1 short too this year too.

[saintal]

Sad way to finish a career.

[downspine]

Fingers crossed there are no long lasting effects from the number of times he has been concussed

[JK]

Unfortunately for Symes this wasn't the first head knock. Maybe that needs to be taken into account as well. Yes the game has changed but was it that bad ? Least he didn't cop gutless ones from behind or in packs .Ironic.

Are you for real???

Absolutely. Look ..................with all due respects to Symes I do not blame Grocke for his retirement. I think many are being really unfair on him. So yes, very serious.

At the end of the day, the final act of Symes career was to get KO'ed by a gutless cheap shot. Whilst not responsible for all of the other knocks Symes has copped over the years, there can be no denying Grocke has ended his career. Would be a terrible thing to live with I'd imagine.

[bennymacca]

was a horrible cheap shot, worse than bickley on wakelin back in the day.

Great career Brad, thought he should have played more AFL games than he did.

I like to think I had a hand in his career, he used to kick bags of goals on me at U17 level. Surely the scouts noticed him after that

[Grahaml]

Always had the feeling this was coming. He'll retire never getting to 100 senior games for any club now. Was a very good player. Not quite good enough to be an AFL regular but super damaging at SANFL level.

Just saddens me that in this day and age, knowing what we do about concussions and the repercussions of belting blokes in the head, that you can't walk onto the field trusting the other players. Hopefully Grocke learns his lesson (if he doesn't he won't get another chance at least) but more importantly players need to start waking up to the dangers and realise that if you can't be trusted, you shouldn't play. Fingers crossed we don't end up with such an issue that blokes get rubbed out for life on the back of offenses like that one.

[CedeNullis]

Unfortunately for Symes this wasn't the first head knock. Maybe that needs to be taken into account as well. Yes the game has changed but was it that bad ? Least he didn't cop gutless ones from behind or in packs .Ironic.

Are you for real???

The post of A Grade Troll. Ignore him.

[the joker]

Saw him the other day, my wife thinks I see him to much and spend to much cash, lucky for a bit of discount at his shop. He is fine with the decision. Just starting a family and has a business going very well. Footy was down in the pecking order anyway

[bennymacca]

This is the exact reason the AFL want to legislate the bump out of the game, and if you look at it in this context they are right