Collingwood defender Tyson Goldsack announces retirement in emotional address

Premiership defender Tyson Goldsack has announced his retirement after 13 seasons in which he has become a champion of Collingwood.

Tyson Goldsack has spent much of this season in the VFL. Picture: Michael Klein.

An emotional Tyson Goldsack announced his retirement today after 13 seasons, 165 games, a premiership medal and a reputation as one of the most loved characters within the club.

But the man himself couldn’t resist a few sight gags on the way out.

As he spoke to the players in the Holden Centre auditorium, he promised to be brief. Then he rolled out reams of computer paper that masqueraded as a marathon farewell speech.

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It was a joke — of course — but the trademark cheeky smile on his face and the emotion in his voice was real.

So much so that he offered to pay up a $20 fine to Lynden Dunn in advance for letting his emotions tetter on the brink before pulling them back into order.

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In keeping with the team-first ethos he carved his career around, Goldsack told his teammates he would continue to train and be at the club for the next four weeks in an effort to help drive Collingwood in its premiership chase.

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“I am not walking out the door today,” Goldsack said. “I will stay here and do anything I can for you, not obviously playing, but the Monday to Friday, I’ll be here.”

“I am going to really enjoy the four weeks … it is thanks for now and (hopefully) the celebrations will come in four weeks.”

Goldsack, 32, hasn’t played an AFL game since last year’s heartbreaking Grand Final loss to West Coast. Back then, he was one of the feel-good stories of the 2018 season, having overcome a knee reconstruction to return for the club’s four finals.

This year has been different. He has played 17 VFL games, with his last game in black and white colours against Box Hill last week.

Tyson Goldsack enjoys the spoils of Collingwood’s 2010 grand final victory.

He spoke of his frustrations, but still managed a post-speech hug with coach Nathan Buckley.

“I have had my ups and downs and you have made some hard calls along the way,” Goldsack said to Buckley. “I like to think this year wasn’t easy on you, as it wasn’t easy on me. (But) thanks for being as open as you can be with me.”

Goldsack knew 2019 would be his final season, but joked “football’s grim reaper got me.”

“I realised all of my football dreams, met some outstanding and interesting people and, in a sense, grew up with Collingwood’s arm around me.”

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Goldsack famously kicked the opening goal of the 2010 Grand Final replay after being brought into the side at the expense of Leon Davis after the previous week’s draw.

His mother won a nice return on her $5 wager at $87 for her son to kick the first major.

Tyson Goldsack has spent much of this season in the VFL. Picture: Michael Klein.

Originally from Pakenham, and recruited from the Gippsland Power, Goldsack was selected by Collingwood as pick 63 in the 2006 national draft.

A genuine utility, he could play forward or back, wherever the team required, and he had to overcome numerous injuries in his journey across 13 seasons.

Coach Nathan Buckley said: “From his earliest days ‘Goldy’ was always one of the most intense players in the contest.”

“His speed and courage either in the air or on the ground quickly earned the respect of his teammates.

“He was also a great clubman. In the confines of a football club, who you are is as important as what you can do and ‘Goldy’ is a first class human.”

The roar his teammates gave when he broke the news they had been expecting said as much.

Originally published as Collingwood defender Tyson Goldsack announces retirement in emotional address