North Melbourne champion Brady Rawlings has announced his retirement, effective at the end of the 2011 season.
Regarded as one of the club’s most competitive and spirited players, the 30-year old carved out a reputation as one of the league’s elite taggers before taking on a new role in the backline under new coach Brad Scott in 2010.
Speaking to The Herald Sun's Mike Sheahan, Rawlings said retirement has been on his mind for much of the season.
“It's something I'd been thinking about since the start of the year, especially when we were struggling a little bit.
"I was thinking, 'Is this really what I should be doing? Should there be somebody else playing my role (to be ready) for when we are really having a shot at the premiership'?
"The coach said I was still a part of the team, but said if I was thinking like I was, it's probably the right decision."
Scott paid tribute to Rawlings.
"In the end, I didn't have to tell him because he came to me," he said.
"He felt his best might be behind him and, in the next sentence, it was 'I think we should get another young player in the side'. It's very rare to find players with that attitude.
"Brady could play next year. I've got no doubt he could play on, but he doesn't want to finish up playing in the VFL and he doesn't want to deny a young bloke an opportunity to play."
Rawlings has won three club best and fairest awards and currently sits on 243 games averaging 18 disposals.
Born and raised in Tasmania, the deputy-vice captain was selected by the Kangaroos with pick 15 in the 1998 draft. He made his debut in 1999 and had a career high in disposals with 39 recorded against Fremantle last season.
“I've grown up in this club with the likes of Glenn Archer, Adam Simpson and John Blakey, and they teach you it's not about you, it's about the club. You need blokes who can take the game on a bit more, who can use the ball a bit better."
That player is arguably Aaron Mullett who made his debut against Fremantle on Saturday night and could fill the massive void which will be left with Rawlings’ departure.
