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Luke Dahlhaus news sparks wave of tributes across AFL world

andrew reid
·4-min read
Seen here, Geelong star Luke Dahlhaus playing with the Cats in the AFL in 2022.
Seen here, Geelong star Luke Dahlhaus has called time on his AFL career after 225 games and one premiership. Pic: Getty

The turnover at AFL premiers Geelong has taken another twist on Thursday, with premiership winner Luke Dahlhaus announcing his retirement from the game.

On Wednesday, Geelong and the AFL bid farewell to their captain and four-time premiership winner Joel Selwood, who hung up his boots after a club record 355 games.

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Less than 24 hours after that announcement, Dahlhaus has joined his former skipper in retirement after bowing out of the game on the back of 225 games across 12 seasons.

The 30-year-old played 71 games with Geelong and 154 with the Western Bulldogs, with whom he was a key player in the side's 2016 drought-breaking premiership team.

Dahlhaus also played in the Cats' 2020 grand final defeat, but missed out on this year's flag.

"I feel very lucky and honoured to have played at two amazing football clubs over 12 years and made friends that I will have for life," Dahlhaus said.

"Thank you to everyone that has supported me along the way."

Geelong football manager Simon Lloyd paid tribute to Dahlhaus' selfless approach.

"Luke has had an exceptional career across two clubs, and we've been very fortunate to have him here in Geelong over the last four seasons," Lloyd said.

"On the field, he often set the tone for our group with his determination and team-first mentality, but he was equally important off the field, where his enthusiasm for teammates and his kind and giving nature made him one of the most popular members of our club."

News of his retirement sparked a wave of tributes to the 30-year-old from across the AFL world.

Luke Dahlhaus follows Joel Selwood into retirement

Dahlhaus' retirement, hot on the heels of Selwood's, is the latest move in a period of significant transition for the AFL premiers.

Apart from bidding farewell to their two veteran champions, the Cats have also delisted Quinton Narkle, Francis Evans, Nick Stevens, Paul Tsapatolis and Zane Williams in the wake of Saturday's 81-point thrashing of Sydney in the grand final.

Pictured here, Geelong captain Joel Selwood announcing his retirement from the AFL.
Geelong captain and four-time premiership winner Joel Selwood announced his retirement from the AFL on Wednesday. Pic: Getty

Shaun Higgins also retired earlier in September after playing 260 games in the AFL, taking Geelong's number of outgoings to eight players.

The Cats are expected to be active in the trade period, having been strongly linked with moves for GWS midfielder Tanner Bruhn and Collingwood forward Ollie Henry.

However, Geelong coach Chris Scott revealed at Wednesday's press conference for Selwood's farewell, that the skipper's salary sacrifice meant cap pressure could be an issue at the club.

“There won’t be much cap space because of Joel leaving," Scott answered in response to a salary cap question.

"In all seriousness. Without spelling it out, it speaks to the man. He could have had us over a barrel – we would have paid him whatever he asked for but he never did."

with AAP

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