After 13 years in the game and 234 games veteran Saints defender Max Hudghton has given the game away after a season where he could only manage 7 senior games and missed the opportunity to play in a Grand Final. Hudghton played in the 1997 Grand Final and was hoping for the fairytale ending to a great career but it wasn’t to be.
Hudghton announced his retirement at the St Kilda family day at Etihad Stadium on Sunday. The defender, with children in toe, thanked the 4,000 Saints faithful for all of their support through his football journey. It looked from the outside that it was a decision that had been made for some time, but to his credit I believe it was something he didn’t want to be talked about in the media during Grand Final week.
The 33 year old was taken at pick number 15 in the 1996 National draft. He debuted in the 1997 season and proved a great asset as a versatile defender who could play taller than his 191cm height. Hudghton said yesterday “I’ve had an amazing journey. Football and the St Kilda Football Club have just been unbelievable and the club is always bigger than the individual .I think I can walk away really proud that I’ve been with St Kilda my entire career. I came here as a kid and all I wanted to do was play senior footy and represent St Kilda… All I wanted to do was play in a premiership and be part of a successful team. Unfortunately my time hasn’t come,”
Hudghton enjoyed great success in 2008 but just could not break back into the senior team towards the end of the 2009 season. It has been reported that he told Coach Ross Lyon up to 8 weeks ago of his decision to give the game away. This just proves that in this day and age there is no sentiment in the game and Hudghton put the team before his own personal endeavor which should be congratulated.
Tags: Max Hudghton
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