DARREN MILBURN RETIRES, BRAD OTTENS TO PLAY ON; JED BEWS JOINS THE CATS
Ben Jensen 13 October 2011

By Ben Jensen twitter.com/thecattery DARREN MILBURN announced his retirement on Tuesday, and the next day joined the Adelaide Crows as an assistant coach under mate Brendon Sanderson. Milburn debuted in 1997 as a 19 year old and went on to play 292 games, all for Geelong and finishes with the third highest number of games played for the club. Milburn will be the Crows' defensive coach, a position you'd say he'll be well versed in. Milburn hasn't been known to speak publicly so it will be interesting to see if we hear more of him in coming years. He not only played 21 finals (an equal club record) he also kicked 94 goals in his 14 season career.

Jed Bews, son of former Geelong skipper Andrew, has been selected by Geelong as a father-son pick. The Cats get Bews with their final pick in the draft after no clubs made a 'bid' at Monday's father-son meeting. Bews started off with the mighty Leopold Lions in the junior ranks before playing the last two seasons at Geelong Falcons in the TAC Cup elite under-18 comp. The 17 year old will join a long list of father-son recruits to the club in the AFL era, the most of any other club. In addition to two seasons at TAC Cup level Bews played three games for the Geelong VFL side this year. Bews stands 186cm tall and is currently listed at 78kg.

Brad Ottens has confirmed he will pull on the boots for another season, before likely handing over the number one ruck mantle to Trent West with some help from Nathan Vardy in 2013. Ottens has now played more games with Geelong than Richmond where he debuted in 1998, before moving to the Cats in 2005. He has played an integral role in all three Premierships thus far and is keen for one more crack at glory, the club welcoming Ottens' determination to play on and not add to the three retirements already in Milburn, Cameron Ling and Cameron Mooney.

A man of few words, Milburn had this to say on Tuesday. “I have enjoyed a great 16 years at the club and am thankful for the opportunities that have come my way. The club is very different today than when I arrived, and the growth on and off the field is something that everyone associated with the club should be proud of.

“I am grateful to my team mates, coaches and everyone that has been with the club during my time here. The supporters have always been behind me and the team and that has made it a fantastic experience.

“I will take away great memories that I have been able to share with my closest friends. The club is set up for the future with many new players about to come through, and I wish everyone here from Chris and the players to all the staff the very best for future success.

“Finally and most importantly, I want to thanks my family for their amazing support over the journey. They have always been there supporting me in the great and not so great times.”