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Nigel Smart Retired

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Originally posted by sante2003
oh well, he was good wen he was young but now he is a dud
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Smart is far from a dud, but an dual All-Australian premiership player unlike most at the Tigers. Granted though he played on a year too long. Nige is one of the true legends of AFC. Hopefully the players can put in a decent performance for his send-off. Farewell Smarty & thanks for all the memories...
 

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Not so Smart in is first year (by firewalking) or in his last year (by not retiring the year before) but an absolute champion in the years in between.
 
Champion footballer. Can never forget the way he and Jarman killed us in 97 preliminary.

Hope he doesn't go out a winner this week , but i hope he plays a great game.
 
Originally posted by sante2003
i was saying he is NOW a dud, had been very good for the rest of his career.


bet ya anything his final game will be against Richmond
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You are a deadset tool & have no credibility by even associating Smart as a dud now or ever. At least he has recognised given his lack of pre-season & no chance of finals, it is best for him to retire & let AFC play youngsters with a view to 2005. There would be a few in Tigerland with less credentials who probably should do the same!
 

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Originally posted by Kane McGoodwin
At least he has recognised given his lack of pre-season & no chance of finals, it is best for him to retire & let AFC play youngsters with a view to 2005.
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If this is true he's not only a super player but a super team man. Paul Dimmitina should take note.
 
Originally posted by Noodles
If this is true he's not only a super player but a super team man. Paul Dimmitina should take note.
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From afl.com

Adelaide veteran Nigel Smart will play his last AFL match on Sunday - against the Western Bulldogs at AAMI Stadium.

He announced his retirement on Wednesday, knowing he would be recalled to the Crows' team this week for his 278th regular-season appearance and a rousing farewell.

Smart, 35 last month, is the last 'survivor' of the 21 players who represented Adelaide in the club's first AFL match - an 86-point win against Hawthorn at AAMI Stadium in March, 1991.


He went on to play in Adelaide's 1997 and 1998 premierships and 2003 Wizard Home Loans Cup premiership.

He won All-Australian selection in 1991, 1993 and 1998, was named in Adelaide's team of the decade (the '90s), was vice-captain from 1997-2000 and was runner-up in the club-champion (best-and-fairest) award in 1996 and third in 1991, 1998 and 1999.

Smart qualified for AFL life membership in round 10 last season when he played his 300th senior match (including pre-season and state-of-origin fixtures) under the AFL banner.

Adelaide designated last year as Smart's testimonial year and he was tempted to continuing playing this year - his 14th in the AFL.

But his pre-season preparation was restricted by an achilles problem and, after round four, he was dropped from the Crows' team for the first time in his career and played with SANFL club South Adelaide. He was recalled by Adelaide two weeks ago but was omitted again last week.

An Adelaide news release, issued on Wednesday, said Smart had 'deemed it an appropriate time to retire after recent discussions with senior coach Gary Ayres, and given the club’s current situation with a need to have development for 2005 in mind'.

Adelaide chief executive officer Steven Trigg said: "Nigel has made a magnificent contribution to our club. His record speaks for itself and there will always be that special fact that he was one of 21 players to play in the first-ever game for the club.

"I have no doubt that the images of Nigel dashing from half-back and driving the ball forward will stay in people’s minds for a long time to come.

"The club would like to acknowledge the terrific service Nigel has given, both on and off the field, and wishes him and his family all the very best in the future."

The news release said Smart would not be continuing with any form of senior football, and the club encouraged all members and supporters to be at AAMI Stadium on Sunday to give him a fitting farewell
 
Does this mean we've heard our last pre-Showdown challenge? :eek: :( ;)
 
A Champion of the game. Loved watching him play, and will be missed. Great effort to play for this long.

Good luck to him on his last game on Sunday.


.
 

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Originally posted by Porthos
Does this mean we've heard our last pre-Showdown challenge? :eek: :( ;)
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Perhaps, he could still turn up to the pre-showdown press conference for old-times sake ... then again, perhaps not. :eek:
 
Congratulations to Nigel on a fantastic career as a servant of his beloved Adelaide Football Club.

My favourite memory is the very first game against Hawthorn in 1991, when he tore Dunstall apart and made him chase him up the ground all night. Many people may not remeber just how good Nigel actually was, but to make the All Australian team in your first year of AFL football is a feat which I think has not yet been repeated.

He went from being told that he was too small and weak to play (at Glenelg), to tearing apart sides with South Adelaide and then made an instant impression in the AFL from day one.

Well done Nigel and may your career after football be just as successful. A true champion, who in years to come will be remembered as a legend of the AFC.:)
 

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Nigel Smart Retired

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