By Tara Murray
After 335 games, Craigieburn legend Brent Gordon has called an end to his football career.
Gordon will go down as one of the greats of the Essendon District Football League club.
Four senior best and fairests, two premierships, a premiership captain and five time EDFL team of the year headline Gordon’s career.
For the man himself, he felt that it was the right time to hang up the boots.
“It was becoming a chore and not enjoyable,” he said. “I had a good season last year and decided to play on.
“It was getting difficult to want to come to training, so I decided that was it.”
Gordon, who is known as Tucky, said now that he had hung up the boots, he would look back on his career and what he achieved.
He said he could have never imagined achieving what he had when he first started out at the club as a junior.
Gordon played at the Calder Cannons in 2004-05 and was also selected for Vic Metro.
He played most of his football at the Eagles, with stints at Airport West and Kilmore.
He returned to the Eagles in 2013 and that is where he has remained since.
“It was home,” he said. “It was where I had grown up playing football.”
Gordon had a break from playing during the Covid-19 period, not just because there was limited football.
“I was the happiest man when the 2020 season was called off,” he said. “I wasn’t enjoying it and didn’t want to go to training.
“I was happy not to be playing.”
Gordon returned in 2022 for another stint with the Eagles and was one of their best last season and one he enjoyed.
He played all 11 games this season before the decision to retire.
He said the premierships were among the highlights for him, but so were the friendships that he had formed throughout his career.
Another was playing with his two nephews, Chace and Cade Gordon.
“I got to play with them both in the same game which was pretty special,” he said. “The youngest one is 16.
“I didn’t think I’d get to play with them.”
Gordon finished his career with a best on ground performance as part of the Eagles big win against Roxburgh Park, 17.18 (120)-4.8 (32).
Gordon kicked five goals.
“It was nice, the boys were looking for me,” he said. “It was good to play well, it has been a tough year and not the year we wanted.”
The win might be just enough to secure the Eagles future in division 1 next season as well.
Gordon said at this stage he wouldn’t go into coaching, but would let things settle and see whether he missed the game.
He’s looking forward to enjoying having his weekends back and share it with his family.
There is one thing he will be sure about.
“I’ll still come down and watch them and be around the club.”
