Central District’s four-time premiership player Scott Dutschke retires from football

SCOTT Dutschke is hanging up his footy boots after four premierships at Central District due to family and work commitments.

SANFL match between Port Adelaide and Central at Alberton Oval - Scott Dutschke and Zane Kirkwood (Simon Cross)

SCOTT Dutschke is hanging up his footy boots after four premierships at Central District.

Dutschke, 27, announced his retirement at the Bulldogs’ best and fairest this month, bringing to an end a decade-long league career that included 123 games and consecutive flags from 2007-10.

The hard-nosed midfielder, who joined the club from Tanunda as a 15 year old, says work commitments at his construction company and spending more time with his growing family are behind his decision.

“I’d still be here if I had a basic, nine-to-five job,” Dutschke says.

“It became really hard with work, especially during pre-season.

“I’ve also got baby number two on the way – my wife Emma is due in January.”

Dutschke says trying to establishing himself in the league side after his debut in 2005 was daunting because of the quality of his teammates and the club’s culture.

At the time, Bulldogs stars Daniel Healy, Jason McKenzie, Heath Hopwood, Daniel Schell and the Gowans twins were the leaders of the squad.

“They were great times – brilliant times to be there as an enthusiastic young lad.

“The standards were so high and the guys that had been there for five or six years had set it all up.

“I consider myself very lucky for (coach) Roy (Laird) playing me when he did with the team that he had.”

Dutschke says he will miss the camaraderie and quality of football the most.

He intends to be around the club as a supporter next year.

Bulldogs chief executive Kris Grant said Dutschke “got everything out of his body”.

“If everybody played with the same passion he did ... and with the same love for the club, we’d have more premierships,” Grant said.