Veteran Richmond defender David Astbury has called time on his 154-game, 12-year AFL career.
Astbury, a triple premiership player, has been a key part of Richmond’s recent era of success as an important cog in the team’s first-choice back-line.
The 30-year-old said he was ready to move on from his 'absolute joy ride' of a football career.
“It really is a dream to be completely content with what my career consists of and be really proud of that,” he said.
“I am really humbled by the football club wanting to keep me around, but I know this decision is right for me and for the club going forward.
“I am so proud that I have fulfilled my career and my dream at one club, this club.
“People say it is just a game, and they have got a point. It is a game. But that is not the reason that you do it. This group has delivered hope, purpose, connection and joy to our people - the Richmond people. It is really special, and I am proud of that.”
Drafted No. 35 overall at the 2009 AFL National Draft, Astbury made his debut as a forward, booting a career-high three goals.
Injuries would then curtail the early parts of his career, as he managed just 24 senior games across a five-year span from 2011.
Astbury returned as a regular member of the team with 19 games in 2016 to finish 11th in the best and fairest.
The Tatyoon-product’s importance was underlined as his first uninterrupted campaign coincided with the Club’s drought-breaking 2017 premiership year.
Astbury played in all 25 games that year, averaging 15 disposals and six marks while often playing on the opposition's best tall forward.
Astbury again hardly missed through the successful 2018 (minor premiership) and 2019 (premiership) campaigns, playing in 22 games in each season.
The 195cm defender became a part of Tiger folklore in the 2019 Grand Final against GWS, holding his direct opponents to a single possession throughout the entire game.
Astbury would become one of 14 Richmond triple premiership players (2017-20) when he appeared in last year’s historic night Grand Final at the Gabba. After facing injuries throughout the year, the key defender played an important role throughout the finals series.
Off the field, Astbury has had a strong impact setting the Club’s culture. In 2020, Astbury received the David Mandie Community Award for his leadership and contributions throughout the Club and community.
The defender was particularly vocal and prominent in the playing group’s stance around the Black Lives Matter movement. He has held leadership roles throughout his time at the Club.
Astbury’s only coach in the AFL, Damien Hardwick, said that Astbury came into the organisation as an ‘incredible human’ but would leave an even better one and an all-time great of the football club.
“Dave is the epitome of the Richmond Man that we speak about all the time. The legacy that this man will leave is up there with the very best players at our footy club," Hardwick said.
“The legacy he leaves is one of selflessness and resilience. The man missed two years and has had 14 operations. Most people would have just given up. But not Dave Astbury.
“He has fought for 12 years for this footy club. He is one of the best Richmond Men I have ever seen.”
Astbury will line up for Richmond for the 155th and final time this Saturday against Hawthorn at the MCG.
