‘I’ll miss this club’: Bombers cult figure’s shock news
RETIRED Essendon forward Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti fought back tears in an emotional farewell to his teammates on Friday.
The Bombers cult figure explained his decision to retire at the club about 9am, saying it was the right time to “move on from football” after battling some personal issues over the past six months.
The 29-year-old paid tribute to his family who adopted him from the Tiwi Islands, and said he was eternally grateful for the chance Essendon gave him to live his AFL dream across seven seasons.
“It’s been a hard few weeks for myself just where I see myself with my life,” McDonaldTipungwuti said to Essendon players and staff.
“It’s been hard fighting with your head and your heart. I’ve come to the stage where my heart is telling me it’s the right decision today.
“I’ll miss this club. I love this club so much.
“I’m going to miss every one of you. I love you boys so much and the staff who helped me follow my dream.”
McDonald-Tipungwuti’s explosive speed, chase-down tackle pressure and brilliance around goals made him one of the most exciting small forwards in the competition since he debuted in round 1, 2016.
His rise was a significant triumph for a man who, in an interview in 2019, said he had only Grade 1 reading and writing skills when he started a new life in Gippsland, aged 16.
On Friday, the popular goal kicker wiped away tears thanking his mother Jane for her support for his education and footy career which included 153 goals across 126 games.
“I want to thank my mum for giving me the opportunity to come down and follow my dream,” he said.
“You’ve always pushed me to follow my dream.”