Don Pyke tells of his shock at Curtly Hampton’s retirement as he welcomes back Brodie Smith
ADELAIDE coach Don Pyke says Curtly Hampton’s shock retirement announcement has nothing to do with the Crows’ infamous pre-season camp.
ADELAIDE coach Don Pyke has has hosed down any suggestion the club’s contentious pre-season camp played a role in the shock retirement of utility Curtly Hampton.
Hampton, 25, dropped a bombshell on stunned teammates yesterday morning, telling them he would retire effective immediately.
There have been reports there were long-lasting effects from the Crows’ pre-season camp on the Gold Coast.
Adelaide acknowledged some parts of the camp upset its indigenous players and last month the club dumped the company behind the Crows’ mental training program, Collective Mind.
But Pyke was certain the camp fallout had nothing to do with Hampton turning his back on an AFL career.
“That had nothing to do with the decision — be really clear on that,” Pyke said. “Absolutely nothing to do with the decision.
“He’s clearly in a head space where he’s finished up his career but it’s got nothing to do with that (the camp).
“It’s to do with the things which are required as a professional footballer and he’s lost the drive and passion for that.
“And to his credit when we had the conversation he was actually saying. ‘Look I feel like I’m almost robbing someone else of an opportunity if I stay.
“That’s the sort of quality of individual we’re dealing with.
“It’s a sad day for us but hopefully for him it starts the next chapter of his life.”
Hampton’s decision came after seeking out Pyke early this week to explain he had lost the drive to keep going after endless physical setbacks, which include a battle with vertigo, diagnosed about a week ago.
That setback was likely to keep Hampton out of the AFL side for several weeks and make an on-field return this season difficult.
Pyke said he had been as surprised as the players when Hampton told him, but the club would continue to support the Alice Springs product as he works towards regaining full fitness.
“It did, actually (come as a shock),” Pyke said.
“I know it’s been tough for him this year, just in terms of his motivation and drive and those sorts of things. But it came as a surprise when he came and spoke to me. It’s sad and disappointing when a young man decides to finish his career.
Hampton said his passion to play at AFL level was gone.
“After eight years in the system and with multiple setbacks I’ve lost the passion, motivation and enjoyment for the game that you need to perform at the highest level,” Hampton said. Hampton played 63 AFL games, having started with GWS in 2012. He managed 12 games for Adelaide after switching to the Crows after the 2015 season. His last match was Adelaide’s round 16 loss to Richmond.
Meanwhile, the Crows will give key defender Daniel Talia until the last minute to prove he is fit to play after suffering a fracture to his tibia.
And All-Australian defender Brodie Smith will make his long-awaited return in the SANFL on Saturday, 10 months after surgery to repair a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament suffered in last year’s qualifying final.