GEELONG CATS TRIPLE PREMIERSHIP RUCKMAN BRAD OTTENS RETIRES
Ben Jensen 31 October 2011

By Ben Jensen twitter.com/thecattery GEELONG ruckman Brad Ottens is to announce his retirement today according to media reports. Ottens was initially thought likely to play on after the retirements of skipper Cameron Ling and Darren Milburn in the week following the Premiership. After taking a couple weeks to think things over Ottens has reached the decision to hang up the boots now and go out on top. Ottens joined the Cats in 2004 following a trade with Richmond that saw Brent Moloney head to the Demons, a trade that was widely criticised at the time, in particularly after a round 6 loss, Mark Thompson's infamous "All of you" press conference. "For some silly reason, you people want to assassinate him. It's just rubbish. You people, all of you, ALL OF YOU, leave him alone!" said Thompson at the time.

Ottens took the mark of the year in 2006, the prize for which (pretty light-on we must admit - use of a Toyota for 12 months) he could not take up after having his licence suspended for drink driving.

MEANWHILE GEELONG'S AFL DRAW for season 2012 was released yesterday after a week or two of strategic leaks from the AFL's communications department. The Cats have been rewarded for their third AFL Premiership in five years by opening their defence against Fremantle at the ground formerly known as Subiaco Oval. They play an Easter Monday blockbuster against Hawthorn in a home fixture at the MCG a week or so later which is more like it, sure to draw a decent crowd. After another away fixture against the Kangaroos at Etihad, Geelong will unfurl the Premiership flag at Simonds Stadium in round 4 verses Richmond in a Sunday game to be shown on Foxtel's yet top be named footy channel. FULL STORY