WANGARATTA milestone man David Thayer is about to retire.
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Thayer, 32, racks up game 150 for the Magpies against Wodonga Raiders today but the former captain said it was certain to be one of his last.
“This will do me, I’d say,” Thayer said.
“Just with age and injury.
“I was really up in the air about playing this year after having knee issues last year but got through the pre-season OK.
“This year hasn’t been much better with a hammy and calf.
“I got told I wasn’t far off 150 so thought I’d keep plugging along.
“If it stays right, I’ll keep playing this year but you get caught out at this level if you’re not right.”
The lure of life off the field just got stronger, as well.
Thayer became a father for the first time on Tuesday.
“Mum and Alfie are doing pretty well and in good shape,” he said.
The Wangaratta full-back made his senior debut in 1999 and while injury has curtailed him recently, it’s not the sole reason he’s taken so long to reach the milestone.
He spent four and a half seasons in Queensland.
“It’s taken me a while,” Thayer said.
“I didn’t think I’d get there, to be honest.”
A calf injury during the warm-up of last month’s Wangaratta derby only strengthened that view. “That went well, didn’t it?” Thayer said.
While he played next to no part in that game, Thayer will have a crucial job opposed to Wodonga Raiders’ star Dean Limbach in today’s clash to be played at Norm Minns Oval.
He said it was crucial Wangaratta got the job done today.
“Last week against Lavington was really good,” Thayer said.
“It was our best game for the year and a lacklustre 10 minutes was all that got us.
“If we play like that again, we should go well.
“But when we are off our game we are a pretty bad side.”