Last Friday night’s dinner was the last official event for 2013 retirees including premiership trio Jude Bolton, Marty Mattner and Mitch Morton, and was also the last Swans function for popular ruckman Shane Mumford, who will join GWS for the 2014 season.
Bob Skilton medallist Jarrad McVeigh paid tribute to his great mate Bolton, who finishes his AFL career with two premierships and as the club’s finals game record holder.
McVeigh thanked Bolton for his friendship and described the 325-game player as an amazing leader both on and off the field.
“Obviously we know all of Jude’s playing honours, but as a friend, as a husband, as a father, you’re something that I aspire to be, and around the club you’ll be sorely missed,” McVeigh said to Bolton on the night.
“I’ve learnt so much from you and I’m glad I’m your friend.”
Fellow co-captain and runner-up in this year’s Bob Skilton Medal, Kieren Jack also spoke highly of Bolton, who he said was one of his football idols growing up.
“Jude, I looked up to you as a 16-17 year old watching you play and I wanted to play like you,” Jack said.
“If any young kid comes into the club, they want to look at Jude Bolton and say ‘That’s who I want to be like when I leave’.
“On the field and off the field there’s not a better clubman.”
Swans defender Marty Mattner’s efforts were also recognised on the night, more than four months after the 31-year-old announced his retirement due to hip complaints.
McVeigh said Mattner’s early retirement left a void in the Swans’ side in 2013 and said he would be sorely missed next season and beyond.
“I’ve got absolutely huge respect for you, the way you read the game, how courageous you are, and the acts you perform on the field,” he said to Mattner.
“You’re a reason why all our players aspire to be great players and you’ll leave a massive hole in this group.”
Jack echoed McVeigh’s thoughts and paid tribute to Mattner’s courageous effort in the dying minutes of the Swans’ 2012 Grand Final victory.
“Marty Matter, I said when you retired, I said ‘Mal might have sealed the game for us last year but you won it for us with that tackle’, so thanks to Marty,” Jack said.
Despite Mumford announcing he would leave the Swans for GWS just days before, there was still plenty of love in the room for big ‘Mummy’, who was a popular figure at Friday night’s event.
Josh Kennedy, who came in third in the Bob Skilton Medal count and shared the Paul Roos Player of the Finals award with McVeigh, thanked his former house mate for his four seasons at the Swans.
“I wanted to thank Mummy as well because I lived with him for two years and he’s been a tremendous influence on me,” Kennedy said.
“He’s definitely helped me out with a lot of taps over the last four years so I wish you all the best in your journey at GWS and beyond, so thank you.”
McVeigh also took the time to recognise Mumford’s role at the Swans, adding that the ruckman would always be remembered as one of the club’s premiership heroes.
“To Shane Mumford, to stand beside you when you run out every single week you know that he’s got your back and he’s going to look after you,” McVeigh said.
“You’ve been an absolute pleasure to play with and you’ll always be a Swans player, mate.
“You’re a premiership player at this footy club and I’ve loved every game standing beside you and you’ll always be treasured as a Swans legend.”
In what was a bittersweet evening, players, staff and fans also said their final goodbye to outgoing Chairman Richard Colless, who spoke for the last time in the top job at Friday night’s celebrations.
Co-captain Kieren Jack summed up Colless’ contribution best, describing the Chairman of two decades as one of the most influential players in the club’s history.
“Growing up as a player and coming into the club you probably don’t realise how much influence you have and what you’ve done to this club,” Jack said to Colless.
“I think one of the great things you did for this group was when he came in and had a chat to the whole group just before the finals series and spoke about where the club was at when he first took over and gave us a brief snapshot of where it was.
“For every player to hear that and see where it was, and we’re now the most respected club in the country, it’s because of you.”
