The Standard | NORTH Warrnambool Eagles are in shock after prolific midfielder Andy McMeel quit the game.
McMeel, 21, told the club after Sunday’s win against Port Fairy that he had played his last game of football, having lost interest.
Club officials, including co-coach Graeme Twaddle, met with him on Tuesday night hoping he may have changed his mind.
But the match-winner is adamant he won’t play footy again this season.
“My heart is not in it,” McMeel said yesterday.
“It wasn’t fair to the boys if I kept playing. There is more to life than football. I’ve got other interests.”
McMeel, who made his senior debut with the Eagles at 16 years of age in round one 2010, said that after 76 Hampden league senior games, footy no longer meant what it used to.
“I’ve been hating it for a while,” the gardener said.
McMeel said he thought a big pre-season would help rekindle his interest.
“But I didn’t have the passion. I found it really hard to get into it. I thought it might change when I played the first two games but it wasn’t for me. I just wasn’t enjoying it.”
McMeel said he had spoken with his father Greg before Sunday’s match against the Seagulls at Gardens Oval.
“I talked to dad and made my decision before I played. I tried to put in one last (big game).”
He had eight possessions in the first quarter and 22 in a winning side but it didn’t sway him.
McMeel said he “loved all the boys” at the Eagles and the club.
McMeel was a standout junior, playing with Emmanuel Hawks in under 12s to under 16s before joining the Eagles under then coach Leigh McCluskey. Such was his junior promise he was also on TAC Cup side North Ballarat Rebels list for a season.
This year’s co-coach Graeme Twaddle said the club was stunned.
“He took some of the beach sessions over the pre-season,” Twaddle said.
“It came as a little bit of a shock to the club and his mates.”
Twaddle said the Eagles respected his decision.
“We genuinely care about him,” Twaddle said.
“It was like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders when he told us.
“He feels like he is letting his teammates down because he can’t share in their excitement after a win and the excitement of his teammates doing extras, putting time into recovery and planning.
“He is a great kid. We respect his decision and the door will always be open for him down the track.
“He is a genuine good bloke and his family are like that. To lose someone like that and a quality family, they are hard to replace in your club.”
Twaddle said he and co-coach Brendan Murfett were meeting last night to consider the sizeable void in their midfield.
“He’s going to leave a big hole in the side,” he said.
Twaddle said the Eagles would have to delve into their stock of teenagers but none were ready to take on McMeel’s role and responsibilities yet.
Finding a replacement will dominate discussions among selectors this week as the undefeated Eagles prepare to take on reigning premier Koroit (1-1) at Victoria Park on Sunday.
