THE mother of Albury-born Sydney Swans star Brett Kirk yesterday said her son had always wanted to retire on a high.
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The superstar midfielder and former North Albury player phoned his parents Sue and Noel on Tuesday night to tell them of his intention to retire at the end of the season.
“No, we’re not really surprised,” she said.
“He always said he wanted to retire on a high rather than when his body got the better of him.
“He would know in his own heart it’s the right decision.
“It would have been a family decision with him and his wife, we didn’t know.
“It is the end of an era for him and for us.
“He loves his footy and always has done and he loves the comradeship at the club.
“They’re a great club, we’ve met some beautiful people and just had a great time following his career.
“It’s a bit sad but I think it’s the right way to go.
“He’s had a remarkable time.”
Mrs Kirk said she had did not know what direction her son would take post-football.
“He hasn’t indicated what road he wants to take,” she said.
“He and his wife will decide on that, I don’t know.
“I know at the moment his heart’s in footy and knowing my son, he’ll put his heart and soul into the rest of the year.”
Mr and Mrs Kirk have travelled regularly to the Sydney Cricket Ground and around the country over the years, to watch Kirk play.
Her father, Albury’s Wally Moras, a World War II veteran, tossed the coin at a match to commemorate Kokoda soldiers at a match in 2005.
Mrs Kirk said it was hard to identify where her son developed his famed qualities of courage and perseverance that first saw him overcome an AFL rejection and yesterday saw him named by coach Paul Roos as among the Swans’ best five players of all time.
“Since he was little he always wanted to play AFL,” she said.
