TIGER TALISMAN’S FRESH ROLE
Retzlaff reinvigorated by move up the ground
BRYCE Retzlaff may have flirted with QAFL retirement two seasons ago but nobody can question his commitment to Labrador’s premiership push since coach Nick Malceski arrived at Tigerland.
The 30-year-old says he has found a new lease on football life since moving to a wing role this season – a la late-career Matthew Richardson at Richmond.
Retzlaff dropped 9kg in the offseason to prepare for his move up the ground and had arguably his best game of 2022 at the weekend, racking up 27 disposals, 14 marks and a goal in the narrow loss to Aspley.
“I’ve never played on a wing before, it’s definitely a new role for me,” Retzlaff revealed.
“I’ve lost about eight or nine kilograms (since last season) because this was the plan through pre-season, to spend more time up the ground.”
Retzlaff, who played 11 games for the Brisbane Lions in 2011, has lined up almost exclusively at centre halfforward since returning to Labrador in 2016, until this season.
“I think as you get older – I’ve played centre half-forward for 13 years now – it’s a nice mental refresher and new challenge,” he said.
“It’s been nice to have something different and a new challenge. It also helps us be not as predictable when we go forward.
“There will be times I’ll spend full games forward or on the wing. What this does is give Mal some flexibility.”
With key forward Jake Goldsmith set to return in the next few weeks, the Tigers’ forward line will be retooled with a tall target helping to further free up Retzlaff.
“He’ll be back in the next week or two, which will make a big difference,” Retzlaff said of Goldsmith.
“At this time of year we’re still trying to figure out everyone’s best position and the best balance of the team.
“Goldy is a premiership player, 30 years of age, 100kg, strong as an ox … an integral part to our structure, so it will be great to have him back.”
Labrador hits the road to face 0-5 Morningside on Saturday and Retzlaff cautioned against taking the Panthers lightly.
“They always find a way to get up for us, it feels like. We’ve had such a rich history against each other in the past decade or so.”