Elbow injury ruins Hairbear's dream

PRESS RELEASE

25th September 2006

THE Battered Savs have been rocked by the sudden retirement of Hairbear.
Hairbear, 33, was told this week by medical specialists he could not play indoor cricket again because of a recurring injury to his elbow.
He had only recently signed a new one-year contract for the 2007 season.
News that Hairbear's career is over comes as a cruel blow for the Battered Savs.
Hairbear last night told The Daily Telegraph of his heartbreak at having to quit the game he has played for the past 12 years.
"That's it," he said.
"It could have been a better way to go out. But I still feel part of it.
"I'm still part of the team and go to training and help out when I can.
"I get nervous watching the games but a premiership win will cheer me up."
Hairbear is saying he is out for the season and will not officially retire until after the Battered Savs final match this season.
He has previously had his elbow pinned.
This current injury came during a round 1 match.
"The problem is I have had elbow trouble before," Hairbear said.
"They told me before that the next time it could be permanent.
"I suppose in one way the decision was taken out of my hands. That makes it a bit easier."
Hairbear said the elbow injury had given him excruciating arm pain.
"The first two weeks after the game my arm was aching 24 hours a day," he said.
"At that stage I wasn't worried about indoor cricket. I just wanted to get back to having a normal life.
"At the moment I'm out for the year.
"I will retire hopefully on grand final day.
"I suppose I was the most depressed when I unpacked my bag. It had sat in the garage for a while after the game.
"But when I took it out and my box and gloves I knew it was the end.
"But I'm getting old and have had a good run."
Hairbear had been the regular Battered Sav this season until he sustained the injury.
Battered Savs chief executive Arjuna last night said his club was saddened to lose Hairbear.
" Hairbear is a major loss on the field. He does a lot of dirty work that no one gives him credit for except the players and coaching staff," Arjuna said.
"He averages over 40 wides a game. He also provides inspiration and semi-final experience.
"Hairbear is a tremendous club man who has respect from the players and is a player everyone listens to.
"He will still contribute in a big way for us through the finals."
Hairbear played 121 first grade games, 120 with the Battered Savs, the other with Bruces 8.
He played in two grand finals - in 1998 and 2004.
Hairbear won seven of the nine finals matches he played.