The AFL world will say farewell to one of the legitimate “big game” players with the retirement of Lions defender Grant Birchall.
“Birch” broke the news to his Lions teammates today that he was calling time on a decorated 287-game career that spanned 15 seasons.
Birchall combined a tough as nails reputation with a peerless ability to read the play and a surgical left boot.
He was a key part of four AFL premiership triumphs with Hawthorn and was a 2012 All Australian.
The 33-year-old retires ranked 4th on the AFL games record list for Tasmanians and is an esteemed member of the Tasmanian Football Hall of fame.
Fellow Tasmanian, Lions Senior coach Chris Fagan, played a key role in luring Birchall to Queensland at the end of 2018 after 248 games over 13 years with Hawthorn.
“I think the thing that stood out to me about Birch was his record in finals, he always rose to the occasion in big games and was just a superb finals performer,’’ Fagan said.
“He averaged 24 possessions a game in four grand finals for the Hawks, to be able to produce those numbers on the biggest stage puts him in elite company.’’
After managing just eight games over the final two years of his time in the brown and Gold, Birchall enjoyed a career revival at the Lions.
He went on play another 39 games for the Lions as a mainstay of Fagan’s defence.
“I really loved my time at the Club,’’ he said.
“They are a terrific bunch of guys who made the final years of my career thoroughly enjoyable.
“It’s time now to give the body a break, it’s a tough game but I’m really proud of the fact I was able to get back to playing some good footy and was able to exit the game on my own terms.’’
