Print this pageAFTER 113 consecutive games mopping up in South Adelaide's defence, Gerard Bennett is to concentrate on cleaning of a different kind.
The Panthers' key defender, who had not missed a game since he arrived at Noarlunga in 2003, was last night named as an omission for the first time.
But it wasn't due to form, the former Sydney backman is retiring to focus on managing the Adelaide arm of TJ's Cleaning Services.
"I was going to retire at the end of the season," Bennett, 29, revealed.
"I've struggled all through this year and pre-season with the commitment of getting to training on time if at all.
"With my business, things are popping up all the time, it can be 24/7 in ensuring that everything is OK."
Bennett, who played 32 AFL games with the Swans between 1999 and 2002, made his decision last night after a frank meeting with coach Clay Sampson.
"I've got a lot of respect for him for initiating it," said Bennett, who consulted friends Adam Goodes and Dean Brogan. "At first I thought I really cared about my footy but if people were noticing it was effecting me, and my heart wasn't really in it, then it was time to call it a day."
Having spent the week on the track with his former team-mates Bennett is confident the Panthers can lift a notch to topple Norwood at Hickinbotham Oval tomorrow.
As well as losing Bennett from the named squad of 23, the Panthers will be without vice-captain Mathew Smith, who has succumbed to a calf injury.
Power ruckman Brendon Lade returns to his original club for the first time since 2002, while James Turner, Alex Splitt and Ben Neagle were recalled.
The Redlegs included Matthew Thomas, Bryce Campbell, Luke Jericho and Edward McDonnell in an extended squad.
Kris Massie (Crows) and Paul Puopolo (back) could not considered.
Norwood has responded to a woeful performance against Glenelg in round nine with wins over Woodville-West Torrens and West Adelaide bookends to a narrow loss to Sturt.
Courtesy of The Advertiser
Story by Zac Milbank