Jarrad McVeigh confirms he’ll retire at the end of the AFL season
Jude Bolton believes Jarrad McVeigh could coach the Swans one day but has urged his mate to tick off one final milestone before retirement.
Sydney
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Jude Bolton believes Jarrad McVeigh has what it takes to become a future head coach of the Swans, but urged his friend to make one last push to eclipse his own proud playing record before hanging up the boots.
At an emotional press conference on Thursday, the 34-year-old McVeigh announced he will retire at season’s end. He will then embark on a four-year coaching contract with the Swans, determined to help shape a new era of success for the club he loves.
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McVeigh has notched 324 games in a 17-year Swans career — putting him third for appearances at the Swans behind Adam Goodes, who played 372 times, and Bolton (325).
McVeigh, Goodes, Bolton, Michael O’Loughlin and coach John Longmire all gathered for a few beers the night before the big announcement, with Bolton adamant his mate must work to go past him before calling it a day.
“Macca phoned me the night before to tell me and I immediately had a look to see what he was on (games),” Bolton told The Daily Telegraph.
Thanks for the memories Macca 🙌#ProudlySydney pic.twitter.com/2EPxmzDAyf
— Sydney Swans (@sydneyswans) August 1, 2019
“I said, ‘Mate, you’ve got to dig in and at least get two more games in’. He said something about getting to at least one more and being level with me, but I know him, he’s such a competitor.
“But I’m just really thankful we played a lot of footy together and a lot of successful footy. He’s had a tremendous work ethic and been such a strong leader.”
Bolton believes his mate will thrive in the move from player to coach.
“It’s a great progression, a great person to have in the coaches box moving forward, to continue to drive the group and have an impact in a different way,” he said. “I see him as being a wonderful coach.”
And as for one day stepping into the top job one day, Bolton sees no reason why not.
“Absolutely. You’ve obviously got to do your time as assistant coach and really learn the caper,” he said. “But Macca acquits himself incredibly to anything he puts his mind to.”
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McVeigh, who hasn’t played since Round 12 due to a calf injury, is relishing his new challenge, but admits one last hurrah as a player is the immediate goal.
“I always wanted to be a one-club player and I’m proud of that fact. It’s been a pretty special period,” he said.
McVeigh, who rates Lance Franklin as the best he’s ever played with, has vowed to do all he can to play again this season.
“I’m going to do everything in my power to get my body right, have one last tilt at it and if I don’t make it I sit here comfortable,” he said.
“The future for this footy club is very bright and I can’t wait to be a part of that.
“We’ll watch the finals this year, which really hurts,” he said. “But then we gear up for another year, try and improve the group. We’ve all seen teams come from the bottom pretty quickly and get back up the top. We’re not a team that wants to be down the bottom, ever.”
Longmire was closer to tears, describing McVeigh as “absolutely incredible”.
“He spoke to the players today and said he got the most out of every day. And that probably sums him up. His legacy at this footy club is very significant.
“He walked into my office in 2011 and said, ‘I want to be captain of this footy club’. I was very fortunate that he was able to do that because it makes coaching that much easier when you’ve got a bloke like Macca driving the standards.
“We are fortunate to have Jarrad joining our coaching panel. He’s going to have a significant role helping our players become better on and off the field.”
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Originally published as Jarrad McVeigh confirms he’ll retire at the end of the AFL season
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