VFL: 150-game VFL player Luke Tynan calls it quits

Now the Port Melbourne premiership defender is on the hunt for a coaching role at local level.

Luke Tynan taking a clearing kick for Port Melbourne.

Luke Tynan fitted a lot into his VFL career.

There was a premiership, best and fairest, team-of-the-year jumpers and leadership roles.

He also crossed the 150-match mark, not often done these days in the state league.

But Tynan’s next achievements will come at local level — a knee injury has forced him to retire from the VFL at the age of 27.

The Gippslander started at Casey in 2010 and returned there this year, only to struggle with the knee problem.

It kept him to nine games, enough to reach the 150, but he says he’ll be able to manage it with a reduced workload and he’s got a lot of football ahead of him.

Tynan was named in Casey’s team of the decade, and if the VFL was of a mind to go through the same exercise he would be in line for a back pocket.

Even as late as last December Williamstown coach Andy Collins was boosting Tynan as a player who could step up to the AFL.

Luke Tynan with Port Melbourne great Toby Pinwill after his 2017 best and fairest.

Coming out of Gippsland Power, the right-footer had to earn his senior stripes at Casey: in his first season he played 14 games in the reserves and in his second 13 games.

“That’s how it should be. Obviously everyone would love to come in and play seniors straight away,’’ he said. “But that time in the twos was a good thing.’’

“Ready to go’’, Tyner became a senior regular in 2012, quickly making his reputation as a small defender who could negate and create.

Honours came to him: the Casey vice-captaincy and the 2012 VFL team of the year and, after crossing to Port to play in a stand-alone setting, the 2014 team of the year.

The 2017 season was his high point: he won the Borough’s best and fairest, figured in the premiership and collected another team-of-the-year jumper.

Tynan said it was a sterling effort for Port to win the flag after losing its first final at Box Hill.

Luke Tynan playing for Casey early in his career.

He said playing big finals at North Port Oval and “getting the job done’’ would stay in his memory.

“In a lot of them, we played out of our skins. They’re the days you play for, when everything clicks and you make it happen against pretty handy teams,’’ Tynan said.

“I remember 2014. We lost a final to Footscray. That was really hot, a great standard of footy. They ended up going on to win it, and I think half of the players ended up playing in their (2016) AFL premiership.’’

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As for the future, Tynan is keen to take on a coaching and playing role in local football, putting to use the knowledge gained under his VFL coaches Bradley Gotch, Brett Lovett, Rohan Welsh, Gary Ayres and Jade Rawlings.

He’s spoken to a handful of clubs but is on the lookout for opportunities.

“It’s something I’m pretty keen to get into,’’ Tynan said.

“We’ll see what’s out there and decide what suits best. Hopefully it will work out if I take a bit from all my coaches and form my own style and way. I’ve learned and seen a fair bit in the VFL … I should be comfortable in most situations.’’