Retirement? Beard there, done that

[The Coon Dog]

Rohan Connolly - The Age - 13 Nov



'WELL, it was fun while it lasted,'' chuckles Ben Hudson of one of the shortest retirements AFL football has seen.

It lasted precisely a month, from the first Saturday afternoon of September, when Hudson, along with another retiring Western Bulldog favourite in Barry Hall, were chaired off Etihad Stadium after their side's last-round win over Fremantle.

Hudson took off for a month with his family to Bali, then Hong Kong. He enjoyed a bit of junk food without guilt, ''not having to worry about the dietician saying I was eating too much or my skinfolds were too high''.

Article in full...

* Loved this line : ''I'm hoping no one up here will read the stuff that 'Murph' writes,'' he laughs. ''I think there were a few tears when I first let him know, but we hugged and made up. I thanked him for that article and told him he can withdraw it any time he wishes. We're pretty close. We went away together with family. They're the sort of lifelong friends you're always going to have. I'll probably just have to whack him one when we play them, unfortunately.''

[LostDoggy]

I'm actually pissed about this.

[Bulldog Joe]

I'm actually pissed about this.

Well I am happy for the big bloke.

He gets to play while living where he wants to and has given great service.

The fixture sets up another farewell with the Dogs as his opponent in the last round. I will enjoy seeing him have a run around, knowing that there was nothing more he could add to the Dogs.

[BulldogBelle]

I'm going to watch a lot of Brisbane games next years just to see the big fella play. His desperation and work rate is just admirable. He always gives 110%.

[chef]

I'm actually pissed about this.

I'm lucky as Brisbane are my second team(my two daughters are one eyed Lion members) and I watch them play weekly so it doesn't bother me as much as it would have if he had gone to any other team.

[Maddog37]

Good on him. Hard to feel bitter as his time with us was up IMHO.

[boydogs]

I'm actually pissed about this.

I reckon a lot more supporters would have been pissed if we had kept him on here instead of handing over to Will & co.

[AndrewP6]

I was disappointed when I heard he'd agreed to play with the Aslans. I guess retirement doesn't mean retirement any more.

Still, hard to be angry with the big fella.Might have to shelve The Scarf though.

[KT31]

I'm actually pissed about this.

Dogs surely would have retired him, good luck to the Beard.
Not like he left for a million dollars.

[EasternWest]

I'm actually pissed about this.

Can I ask why? I'm not picking a fight, I'm just curious.

[Remi Moses]

Good luck to the Beard
Personally think he's done but well done in getting a gig

[LostDoggy]

I've got no problem with it whatsoever. It's obvious the only reason he took the gig was to help set himself up up there, it's not like he's playing for GC or GWS for big bucks. I see it in the same light as Dougie playing for Fitzroy. I barracked for two teams in 1995 as a result (though when they played, I backed the Dogs, of course…)

I think he (Hudson) is a great bloke, a great clubman, gave it all for the Dogs every time he took the field, and I just wish him all the best wherever he goes.

[The Pie Man]

I was disappointed when I heard he'd agreed to play with the Aslans. I guess retirement doesn't mean retirement any more.

Still, hard to be angry with the big fella.Might have to shelve The Scarf though.

Just turn it over - or we could always find a new cult hero to immortalise in cotton....

[LostDoggy]

I'd better clarify what I mean by "pissed"!! I love the big bloke and will miss seeing him in red, white & blue, certainly not bitter or angry at Huddo.

[KT31]

I'd better clarify what I mean by "pissed"!! I love the big bloke and will miss seeing him in red, white & blue, certainly not bitter or angry at Huddo.

We all should be "pissed" with the recruiters for allowing him to start his career at the Crow's.