The impending future of star midfielder Simon Black has been under question since the Brisbane Lions missed out on the finals just over a month ago, but on Friday, fans got the answer they had been waiting for.
After 322 games and 15 years of football, Black made the decision earlier in the week, and feels that his body isn’t up to another season. Retirement always looked to be on the cards after missing several games last year, and with the Lions now in a stern rebuilding phase, it’s no surprise to see Blacky walking away.
“I sat out under the stars the other night and thought about it one last time. My body’s been so good to me, it’s about time I gave it a favour back,” Black told Greg Davis of The Courier Mail.
Black, a three time premiership player and 2002 Brownlow medalist, will go down as perhaps the greatest Brisbane Lion to play the game. With Jonathan Brown returning to play another season, it’s likely we’ll see Black during the Lions first home game at the Gabba next season to celebrate a great career.