NFL 2019: Patrick Karnezis retires from football after West Preston-Lakeside premiership

Premiership hero Patrick Karnezis has opted to finish his playing career on a high, retiring in the wake of West Preston-Lakeside’s grand final success.

Patrick Karnezis slides into a mark against Bundoora. Picture: Mark Dadswell

Premiership hero Patrick Karnezis has opted to finish his playing career on a high, retiring in the wake of West Preston-Lakeside’s grand final success.

The former Collingwood and Brisbane Lions forward has been an integral member of the Roosters side in the past three seasons, booting 94 goals from 46 matches.

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“To get him straight out of the AFL, when the club did, was a big coup,” Roosters coach Rob Maiorana said.

“While he has been there he’s made good friendships, contributed well to the club and has just added some class to the footy club.

“We saw that in the finals, in big moments when he needed to step up he was there.”

Karnezis was restricted to 14 games last season due to injury, returning from a two-month lay-off to figure in West Preston-Lakeside’s Northern Football League finals campaign.

“We didn’t quite get to see as much as him as we would have liked, but when he was on the park he made a massive contribution,” Maiorana said.

“I think opposition definitely respected him and he was always a difficult match up for them given his size, height and the positions that he played.”

Karnezis’ class was evident in last year’s Division 1 decider when he twice kicked clutch goals in the third quarter to help inspire the Roosters to their first flag since 2010.

“At this stage, he’s going to hang the boots up and retire,” Maiorana said.

“I don’t think he’ll play in 2019.”

The 26-year-old played 21 matches for Brisbane and four with Collingwood during his AFL career.

Maiorana said West Preston-Lakeside was proud to have retained all bar one other member of its flag-winning side, with midfielder Josh Novelli crossing to Lalor.

Ruckman Mark Kovacevic, who was named best on ground in the grand final, has returned full-time from VFL club Coburg.

“We left that up to him and I think he came to the decision that he just wanted to play local footy, be around some mates and enjoy it,” Maiorana said.

“I think he really enjoyed last year, the time that he did have with us.”

Maiorana said the reigning premier, which returned to training on Monday, hoped to announce at least two recruits in coming weeks.

“I think there was seven or eight senior players that didn’t play in that premiership team for one reason or another,” he said.

“There’s some depth there already and we’re hoping those blokes step up.”

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