Print this pageWEST Adelaide's playing stocks have been dealt another blow with experienced Peter Walsh announcing his retirement.
Walsh told his team-mates before training on Monday night of his decision after succumbing to a string of hamstring injuries.
The former Melbourne and Power defender strained his hamstring against the Port Adelaide Magpies at Broadspectrum Oval on June 22.
It was the fifth time he had suffered such an injury in the past 18 months and prompted his decision to end his career.
The setback for the Bloods follows the loss of on-baller Sal Hassan, who had returned to the club this season after a stint in Victoria, for the season.
Hassan will undergo a knee reconstruction after being injured in the loss to the Magpies.
"The time has come to allow our young up and coming players every opportunity and I'm looking forward to focusing my energy on supporting these young players," Walsh said.
A Bloods junior, Walsh played 139 AFL games with the Demons and Power and 60 league games at Richmond.
Walsh will remain at West Adelaide until the end of the season in his role as an assistant coach.
Central District had some welcome news at last night's tribunal with co-captain Matthew Slade being cleared of a charge of alleged forceful head-high contact on Woodville-West Torrens' Adam Grocke.
Slade pleaded not guilty after being reported at Woodville Oval on Saturday.
Courtesy of The Advertiser
Story by Warren Partland