Bye Bye Ben/Benny announces retirement

[Doctor]

Well played Benny. All the best for whatever you do with the next stage of your life. Congratulations on a solid AFL career and a Premiership medallion.

[SassySwan]

Congrats and enjoy life after professional footy, Ben. If he decides not to stick around in the big smoke, then no doubt plenty of Ovens & Murray clubs will be falling over themselves seeking his assistance on or off the field.

He'll stick around the big smoke... wont stray too far from the old oxford st!

[SimonH]

Said it too often before, but one last time: a guy who was born with the natural talent of a solid state-leaguer, but who through sheer determination, team focus and hard work managed to wring out near-enough-dammit-to-200 games at the top level.

Anyone can look good when everything's going their way and everyone loves them. But Benny's efforts in giving his all, and providing leadership to the kids, in the 2s this year, have been a mark of the man.

Congrats and enjoy life after professional footy, Ben. If he decides not to stick around in the big smoke, then no doubt plenty of Ovens & Murray clubs will be falling over themselves seeking his assistance on or off the field.

[thedoc]

Benny, a true blood, often underestimated outside the club, who always putting the team first.

You will be missed blood!

See you around

[Swansinger]

Thank you for all you did for us .

Good luck for the future , Benny.

[elroy67]

Ben Mathews retires

Found this link hidden away on The Age website.

http://news.realfooty.com.au/sport/swans-premiership-player-mathews-retires-20080904-49um.html

Congratulations Benny on your career of 198 games and a premiership medal.

[AnnieH]

Johnno, he was looking for the boundary line because at the time, he was TOLD to look for the boundary line; remember - stoppages, stoppages, stoppages!!!

I'm a bit upset at this news. I knew it had to happen one day, but not quite so soon.

Our workhorse - gone. I'm going to go and have a good cry.

[johnno]

Well bone Benny, great career mate, good luck with everything in the future. I do have just one critisism though....mate, you are the one player in the AFL who looked for the boundary line more often than anyone I have ever seen, but all in all, loved you service to the club.

[shaun..]

Fantastic effort - shows what hard work can do for you.

[chalbilto]

A fantastic servant of the club. Well done Ben. Always gave your all.

[C-Train]

Good on ya Ben... Well done on a good career and goodluck!

[honour_the_name]

Ben Matthews a very hard worker

Ben Matthews did the job that was asked of him. He was not flashy we had others for that. I do recall a game in either 2004 or perhaps it was 2005 when he was given a free reign attack and he gathered more than 30 possessions and kicked a couple of goals. He is a good kick for goal. His role was to contain his dangerous opponent for the good of the team. He carried this out to letter perhaps to his own demise. Good luck in retirement Ben...

[Mel]

Good luck in retirement Benny. Loved your work so much I named my firstborn after you.

[Triple B]

Seeing the Number 4 jumper is free - bring on Daniel Kerr

Or bring Plugger back.........again

[law78]

Onya number 4! Well done!

Seeing the Number 4 jumper is free - bring on Daniel Kerr