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Anchor Out: Solly calls it quits

OUTGOING Fremantle hard man Dean Solomon was given no choice but to end his 209 game career, after he reinjured his troublesome right knee.

Solomon (30) told a packed press conference that he consulted with two different surgeons, who both told him he had a “zero per cent chance” of playing football again.

Instead, Solomon will have a post-football operation, similar to former teammate Justin Longmuir to ensure he isn’t hindered later in life. 

Solomon said he twisted his knee, and then heard it pop when he changed direction during a handball drill.

“It felt pretty similar, (to previous knee injuries)” he said.

“I had a couple more scans, showed them to the surgeons and they both were of the opinion that it had deteriorated pretty quickly.”

“I can run straight lines, but I wouldn’t be able to go off line and do any agility work.”

However, agility was never one of Solomon’s strong points as a footballer, but he said he would like to be remembered as a team man, who always put his body on the line. 

“Hopefully, I leave with my teammates knowing every time I went on the field with them I gave 100 per cent and I always committed my body in any way I possibly could,” he said.

“I’d never let them down, I feel. Maybe in some disciplinary areas, but if there was ever a 50-50 ball or I had to put my body on the line, I’d always do that. 

But his elbow on Cameron Ling in 2008, which left the Geelong midfielder with a fractured cheekbone and cost Solomon an eight-week suspension, left a black mark on his career.

“In my mind that’s done and dusted and I’m just going to remember the good things I’ve achieved,” Solomon said.

“A lot of people may remember that incident and bring it up but I hope those people remember the good footy I did play and I was part of a pretty good side at Essendon as well.”

Solomon thanked both his former club, the Bombers, as well as coach Mark Harvey and the Dockers for the faith they had shown in him.

The 209-game veteran was part of Essendon’s dream team, where they lost just one game on their way to claiming the premiership in 2000. 

He moved to Fremantle in 2007, where he played 51 games in three seasons, and kicked 22 goals.

The outgoing Docker said he looked forward to the next chapter in his life, which will begin in 2010 with a role in Fremantle’s coaching group.

“With a young group I think I can still help. Instead of focusing on myself I can put some more focus onto them and help them out a lot more,” he said.

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