Daniel Jackson shocks Richmond by announcing immediate retirement

UPDATE: DANIEL Jackson told teammates in a teary farewell that he didn’t want to let them down by taking his suspect body into a final.

2014 AFL Best and Fairest poster's - Richmond's Daniel Jackson. Pic By : Colleen Petch

LESS than a day after being touted as a September wildcard by his coach, Daniel Jackson has shocked the football world by retiring.

Jackson cited a crumbing body for his decision to retire immediately, a stunning move given he was in the 25-man squad to take on Port Adelaide.

But as Jackson told his teammates in a teary farewall at 10.30am Friday, he did not want his body to fail him if selected for a final.

Daniel Jackson has pulled the pin on his AFL career. Picture: Colleen Petch

The reigning Jack Dyer medallist is just 28 but after hamstring, glute and hip injuries this year he felt his body was shot.

His place in the Tigers’ 25 was taken by first-round pick Ben Lennon, with the Tigers expected to go into the clash against the Power unchanged.

Tough, assertive, competitive but thoughtful. @DanJackson23 got the most out of his abilities. A spiritual warrior for @Richmond_FC

— Brendon Gale (@brendongale25) September 5, 2014

On Thursday Damien Hardwick said Jackson had completed extra work during Tuesday’s training to ensure he was fit to go if selected.

“He is the sort of player that for mine is a finals type player — he’s hard, he’s tough and he wins his own contested ball.”

wont meet a better bloke than @DanJackson23 congrats on your great career and enjoy the beers!!!

— Jake Batchelor (@jakebatchelor11) September 5, 2014

Learnt so much off @DanJackson23 in such little time. It was a privilege to work, play and associate with you. Enjoy retirement mate!

— Ben Lennon (@LennonBen) September 5, 2014

Yet Jackson had been considering retirement for several weeks and despite being determined not to make the announcement a distraction told the players yesterday.

“I have spent this week doing everything possible to convince myself that my body was up for the fight on Sunday, and I could go out there and play my role as I’ve always done,’’ he said in a letter to fans.

“Unfortunately, after 11 years of scrapping and grinding, my body hasn’t got any fight left.

“The decision was made even more difficult knowing I had a contract for 2015, and that I’d have the opportunity to be a part of what I have full confidence is going to be the start of something great for our proud club.

“I didn’t want to leave myself in a position where I spent my final time as a footballer, not being able to perform to a level that I’d expect of myself and, more importantly, to a level that the footy club needs from me.”

Daniel Jackson in full flight against Melbourne. Picture: Colleen Petch

Richmond footy boss Dan Richardson said he and Hardwick had attempted to convince him to delay his decision but his mind was made up.

“Certainly we both tried to do that but you could see in his eyes that he was comfortable with the call and in the end that’s all you can do is respect that,

“In the end he’s made a really selfless decision. He wasn’t confident in his body — not only next year — but even right now.”

“We’ve been aware of his challenges this year trying to get his body right, obviously there’s physical and also mental challenges with that.

“So we weren’t shocked by the decision, but in the end obviously that got the better of him and he’s made a decision that it’s all over for him.”

On face value the decision seems perplexing given the Tigers charge could see them continuing for another month.

But Jackson did not believe he would have been fit at any stage in September which led to his call to retire.