Collingwood VFL captain Jack Hellier has announced his retirement from state football and is heading to bush to join Goulburn Valley League side Euroa, as reported byย The Herald Sun.
The 32-year old played over 100 VFL games at the Pies and was named captain of the club in 2014 up until his retirement.
He only played four games in 2019 as he battled groin injuries and was set to go ahead as captain in 2020 before the season was put on the shelf.
Jack Hellier has retired ๐ Guess he couldn't play on forever. @Mattys123 @DavidPalmer1985
— Jen โฅ ๐ฆ๐บ โซ๏ธโช๏ธ (@Jen2310) February 4, 2021
Hellier came to Collingwoodโs VFL club via St Bedes Mentone in the VAFA ahead of the 2012 VFL season.
He had a hand in the Tigersโ iconic Premier A and B premierships, coached by Western Bulldogsโ current coach Luke Beveridge.
Hellier told The Leaderโs Paul Amy that with a couple of factors in place, his time had come to an abrupt end.
โItโs a little bit too hard with the new structure of the VFL and how itโs looking, Iโve got a young family now, a little fella, whoโs eight months old now,โ Hellier toldย The Herald Sun.ย
โSo unfortunately itโs come to a bit of a halt, which is not what I really wanted โ I wanted to go again, finish on a good note.โ
Congrats on a great VFL career to @rookehellier. One of the really genuine good guys! @CollingwoodFC notice you haven't posted anything about your VVFL captain. You should get onto that ๐๐ https://t.co/sE1KyAGYC0
— Scott Donnelly (@SkotiD75) February 4, 2021
The decision to go play in the bush had been something that has lingered in the mind of Hellier for quite some time.
โA couple of my mates have done it and Iโve gone and watched them and the atmosphere and the support in the towns tick all the boxes,โ he said.
โItโs a lot of fun. Iโm really looking forward to it.โ
