All three cited injury problems as the reason behind theirdecision to retire.
Hall made his AFL debut with Richmond in the final home-and-away round ofthe 1999 season. He went on to play 99 games and kick 28 goals for the Tigers.
A suspension last season prevented him from playing his 100thgame for the club last year and a serious hip injury sidelined him for theentire 2007 season.
“It’s been a great nine years and I’ve really enjoyed it,”Hall said.
“There’s been some highs and some lows.
“I’m certainly going to look back on this chapter of my lifeas a great time.
“I think one of the best things about footy is the peopleyou work with. I’ve certainly worked with some great people over the years. I’vebecome a better person than when I started footy and I’m proud of that.”
Tigers coach Terry Wallace said the 26-year-old would bemissed around the club.
“He’s been a popular figure around Tigerland over the pasteight years and has given the team very good service in a variety of on-fieldroles,” he said.
“His flexibility made him a most valuable member of theside. We wish Ray all the best for the future and know that he’ll continue totake a keen interest in the Tigers’ fortunes.”
Trent Knobel also failed to play a senior game this year dueto a persistent ankle injury.
The 27-year-old was Richmond’sNo.1 pick in the 2005 NAB AFL pre-season draft following stints at the BrisbaneLions and St Kilda.
He played 21 games with the Tigers and kicked five goals,taking his overall AFL tally to 75 games and 12 goals.
“I’m very disappointed that’s it’s (my career) been cutshort by the ankle injury but in saying that I’m looking forward to the nextchapter in my life,” Knobel said.
“I’m very thankful to the Richmond Football Club forthrowing me a lifeline when they did. I’ve enjoyed my football here at Richmond as much as I’veenjoyed it anywhere.”
Knobel will return to live on the Gold Coast and hopes toplay local football when his ankle settles down.
Wallace commended Knobel for his contribution to the club: “Hewas our No.1 pick in the 2005 pre-season Draft. He had a very solid debutseason with us in ’05, playing 18 games and really giving us some drive at thecentre bounces and stoppages in his role as the team’s No.1 ruckman.”
The Tigers’ other retired player, Kent Kingsley, says heplans to get away from everything with an extended holiday to South Americaafter what’s been a frustrating year of injuries.
Kingsley, 28, was the Tigers’ first pick in the 2007 NAB AFLpre-season draft after a career at Geelong,which saw him win the Cats’ leading goalkicker award on four occasions, and theKangaroos.
He was restricted to just three senior appearances with Richmond this season dueto injury.
“I think I stood up in front of the group and said this timelast year that I’d only missed one game in 10 years through injury and I thinkthat’s backfired on me,” Kingsley said.
“It’s been a frustrating year. I don’t think I could gothrough it again.
“There comes a point where you put so much on hold to be anAFL footballer and make so many sacrifices, that it’s time to go and have alook at the rest of the world I think.”
Terry Wallace complimented Kingsley on the way he hadhandled his injury woes.
“I’ve got to say with the frustration Kent’s hadduring the season he’s handled himself magnificently around the group and hadan air of professionalism about everything he’s done. I think he taught some ofour players about what being a professional footballer is all about.”
