AFL Paul Licuria Retires

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Paul Licuria Retires
Goodbye to another Champ

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MIDFIELDER Paul Licuria became the third key Collingwood player to announce his AFL retirement during an emotion-charged club best-and-fairest awards function.

Licuria joined captain Nathan Buckley and defender James Clement in retiring post-season, meaning the Copeland Trophy dinner became as much a tribute as an end-of-season awards night.

Key forward Travis Cloke was a surprise winner of the trophy this season, beating Scott Pendlebury and Tarkyn Lockyer by one vote.

Buckley confirmed his retirement earlier at a media conference, while Clement shocked the club by ending his career soon after the preliminary final loss to premier Geelong.

Licuria made his decision in the last couple of days and was in tears as he spoke to the audience of more than 1700.

"I tried so hard not to cry, I knew I was in trouble watching James' speech," he joked.

"This footy club has taught me to dream."

President Eddie McGuire, who struggled to contain his emotions while presenting the champion trio, said Licuria would hold an administrative position at the club. Licuria, 29, made his debut for Sydney in 1997 and played 10 games there before joining the Magpies in 1999.

He played 182 games for Collingwood for a total of 192 and was a two-time Copeland winner.

"When you have people at your club like Nathan Buckley, James Clement and Paul Licuria, it sets the tone with what you can do and what you can build," McGuire said.

Buckley said he could no longer trust his body to bear up to the rigours of the AFL, after the succession of hamstring injuries that restricted him to only five senior games this season.

"It still hasn't sunk in that I won't be playing another game of footy ... (but) the decision was made for the right reasons," he said.

"One of the things I've realised in the last 10 minutes (listening to the tributes to Clement and Licuria) is why it's meant so much to me."

Later in the evening, Cloke polled 53 votes, finishing one ahead of Scott Pendlebury and Tarkyn Lockyer, with Pendlebury second on a countback.

Pendlebury also finished second to Geelong's Joel Selwood in the AFL's Rising Star award.

Cloke played all 25 senior games and kicked 39 goals this year.

He has developed a strong key forward combination with Anthony Rocca, but was still a surprise winner of his first Copeland Trophy.

James Clement Retires from Collingwood

AFL Football
James Clement Retires
AFL Footy News



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Collingwood defender James Clement has shocked his club by announcing his retirement from AFL football.

The Magpies vice-captain played 230 games, including 146 for Collingwood after joining the club from Fremantle in 2001.

His announcement comes just two days after the Magpies were knocked out of the 2007 AFL finals series in a five-point defeat to Geelong in their preliminary final.

Verdict :

This is a bit of a shock, Jimmy Clement shouldn't have pulled the pin like this, he at least should have announced his retirement during the season, it's a shame really - as a Collingwood supporter I would have liked the chance to farewell Clement and show some appreciation - after all Jimmy has been a champion for the pies for several years, it leaves me wondering how many other Pies will call it a day and not get the farewell they truly deserve.

Collingwood Advance in Finals

AFL Football
Collingwood VS West Coast
News.com.au



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COLLINGWOOD last night (Friday 14th) staged an amazing comeback to beat West Coast by 19 points in extra time in a pulsating AFL semi-final at Subiaco.

The Magpies kicked 3.3 to two behinds in the two five-minute periods after full-time to win the sudden-death game 13.15 (93) to 10.14 (74).

It was the first drawn final since the Kangaroos eventually beat Hawthorn by 23 in their 1994 qualifying final.

Collingwood will now play Geelong next Friday night in their preliminary final.

Alan Didak was best for Collingwood and Anthony Rocca kicked three goals, while Dean Dox and Matt Priddis were best for the Eagles.

Leaving aside Adelaide in 1999, who failed to make the top eight, West Coast last night became the first defending premier to not win a final the following year since Carlton in 1996.

Collingwood beat the Eagles in Perth for the first time since 1992.

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Conclusion :

A lot will be said about the Eagles missing key players such as Cousins, Kerr and Judd and not a lot of mention of Collingwoods missing key players such as Fraser and the now fading Licuria, Holland, Rhyce Shaw and Prestigiacomo, Fraser was obviously the biggest player absent for Collingwood as West Coast's Cox and Embley are the big duo ruckman in the AFL.

West Coast's players standouts Matt Priddis is also gatherring a lot of media attention for his brilliant game, but what about Dane Swan and the return of form of Didak ? Dane Swan finished with 38 possessions and was the highest possession getter on the field (compared to Priddis' 37 possessions) and Alan Didak who collected 20 disposals in the last half of the game.

This game was the best game I have seen and I just hope it wont be swept aside because of the injuries to the key players before the game.

Beating West Coast at the WACA is an achievement in itself.