GEELONG CHAMPION COREY ENRIGHT RETIRES AFTER 332 AFL GAMES - The Cattery

GEELONG CHAMPION COREY ENRIGHT RETIRES AFTER 332 AFL GAMES
Ben Jensen 5 October 2016

GEELONG champion Corey Enright announced his retirement today with an email to Geelong members after 332 games with the club. After breaking the club record for games played and earning his sixth All Australian selection in 2016 Enright has nonetheless decide enough is enough and at the (relatively young!) age of 35. He broke the long standing record of 325 games, previously held by Ian Nankervis, in round 19 and went on to play another two finals and finishes on 332 games.

Enright was drafted in 1999 from the South Australian town of Kimba with the Cats' pick 47. He debuted in 2001 against St Kilda and soon established himself in the side. His first stand-out season coincided with the Cats' first Premiership since 1963, in 2007- when he was one of nine Cats to earn All Australian stripes. He would go on to play in all three premierships of that era and won the club best and fairest award (the Carji Greeves Medal)- in the 2009 and 2011 to boot. His All Australian selections were from 2008 to 2011 inclusive, 2013 and this season.

While the retirement is not a complete surprise by any means it will be felt by all Geelong fans and the players alike, he certainly seemed to have 'earned' the right to continue playing given the season he had, but nobody would deny him the right to step away from the (playing) game on his own terms. There is no word yet on other senior Cats such as Jimmy Bartel, who has an option to continue should he wish, or Andrew Mackie who is also believed to be contracted for 2017.

Corey Enright's email to Geelong members

I got drafted way back in 1999 and not in my most wildest dreams could I have imagined what was to follow. But after 17 of the most enjoyable years of my life, I’ve decided to hang up my boots.

Three of the key things that have enabled me to play 332 games for this magnificent club are my family and friends, my teammates (many of whom now fit firmly into that first group) and you, the members and supporters of the Cats.

There have many been highs and lows, but the one thing that hasn’t changed is the unwavering support from the people I have mentioned above.

The opportunity to play alongside some truly incredible players is something I have never taken for granted.

I look forward to telling my sons about what it was like standing next to Scarlo or what it meant to run out with Lingy, Jimmy, Gaz, Smithy, Sel or the dozens of other guys that have been a part of my journey with the Cats.

There is plenty that I will miss as I move into the next phase of my life; the sound of a packed Kardinia Park, singing the song arm-in-arm with the boys and, most of all, getting to wear the blue and white hoops and carrying everything they represent onto the field each weekend.

Once again, thank you for your support over the years.