ASH SAYS THIS TIME, IT’S FINAL
Supercat to quit after stellar career
ASH Cannan says he is looking forward to the next stage of his life after announcing his retirement from the Supercats, effective at the end of the SEABL finals campaign.
Cannan, 35, has been a Supercat for five years after making the move from Canada, but said the call to retire had been coming for some time.
“It’s just a good time I think in terms of where I’m at. It just seems like the right time,” he said.
“The last couple of years it’s been, ‘maybe one more’, ‘maybe one more’, then it became a 50-50. About halfway through this year it just became a reality, I guess.
“After a few games I thought this would be it and I just made the decision with myself and then with my family as well.”
Since graduating at Colorado Christian University in the US in 2005, Cannan has represented South Dragons in the NBL and Brisbane, Kilsyth and Dandenong in the SEABL.
But the opportunity to come to Geelong in 2013, while earning a job as a physio at club sponsor Corio Bay Health, was a chance too good to pass up.
“It just seemed like a good place to come play and a good place to live. It was a perfect mix, I guess,” he said.
Highlights include winning SEABL championships with the Rangers and co-captaining the Australian SEABL-Select team against Qatar.
“I’ve had so many highlights individually,” he said.
“I’ve been lucky enough to play with a couple of different teams and never missed playoffs in my 18 years I’ve played at this level — that shows a bit of luck as well.
“Individually, the chance to represent Australia in 2010 in a representative team, and being inducted into my college hall of fame were probably my two biggest highlights I’ve had individually as part of a team sport.”
And Cannan said there was space for one more championship on his CV.
“That’s everyone’s dream isn’t it, the fairytale finish,” he said.
“With Mt Gambier, we’ve been one of the most successful teams over the five years I’ve been playing. We’ve always made it to at least the conference final. I’m pretty excited about what this team can do; hopefully we can finish off with the fairytale.”
But what does life look like on the other side of retirement?
“I think that’s one thing that excites me, I haven’t (decided),” he said.
“I like to keep myself very busy, so I’ll definitely fill it with something, whether it be playing locally or start coaching juniors. But spending more time with my family will be the No.1 priority for sure.
“I don’t want to say I won’t miss it, but I’ve just got to a point where there are other things I enjoy doing.
“I love basketball. It’s been the biggest part of me . . . but there are a lot of other things to look forward to.”
Saturday will be Cannan’s last regular season game at The Arena, when the Supercats host Albury Wodonga.