Retiring Fremantle veteran Des Headland has declared he's proud of his career, saying no stone was left unturned despite a horrific run with injury over the past three seasons.
The 29-year-old former Lions' premiership player in 2002, was restricted to just 20 games since the end of 2007 as he dealt with a variety of leg issues and could only manage five in his final year, after injuring his knee in Round 4 against St Kilda.
Surprisingly recalled by coach Mark Harvey for last week's 69-point semi-final loss to Geelong, Headland injured his good knee during the first minute and struggled to have an influence despite playing out the game.
Headland admitted that injuries probably did prevent him from playing his best footy, but said he had no regrets over the career he's had.
"A few people might think I probably didn't reach my potential," Headland said on Friday morning in front of Harvey and his team-mates.
"But I know for a fact that every time I trained and every time I tried to work on my game, I gave 100 per cent."
"I made sure that I trained hard and did all that and it didn't work out that way, but as long as I gave it a crack."
"I'm happy with my time at Freo and unfortunately we didn't have too much success in the time I was here, but I'm actually excited about the future and looking forward to sitting on the sidelines and cheering them on."
Headland said he'd started considering retirement after the Round 4 injury, although at the time he didn't think the problem would keep him out most of the season.
"Half way through the year, I wasn't getting anywhere with my knee so I was sort of, you start thinking about it (retirement) round then."
"But, after Friday night's game, getting another injury on my other knee sort of really tipped me over the edge and made my mind clear."
"I just had a think about it a bit more to make sure I'm doing the right thing and I'm pretty happy with the decision and looking forward to it."
Headland said he would now turn his attention to helping mentor indigenous youths in Perth, saying he wanted to help them fulfil their dreams in the same manner his parents and family did for him.
One of the players Headland's taken under his wing over the last two seasons, exciting forward Michael (Sonny) Walters, was one of the first to know of his decision.
"I gave him (Walters) a call the other night, said, 'look brother, I'm going to retire'. On the other side of the phone he was, 'nah, you're kiddin' me mate, you're kidding me. Can I have your number?'"
"Obviously Dale Kickett wore No.11 first, proud Noongar man and he handed it down to me, another proud Noongar man and I have to talk to Harvs and Bondy (football manager Chris Bond) to see if I can do the same thing with young Michael Walters, to see if he can wear No.11."
"They might have to make sure that he gets through pre-season and does a hard training session before they can guarantee that," he joked.
Headland played 166 games in total, 114 with Fremantle and 52 with the Lions before returning home to Perth in 2003.
In other Fremantle news, utility Michael Johnson and young defender Alex Silvagni came to the press conference on crutches, suggesting they may have had pre-season surgery to clear up some niggles.
And, on the coaching front, former Bomber Michael Prior will replace the departed Dean Wallis as Dockers' assistant coach as Ashley Prescott takes up the role of development coach under senior development coach, Simon Lloyd.