Norrish did it with dignity

by LES EVERETT

A COUPLE of years ago I raised a hypothetical - if the AFL was to disappear which of the 2000 batch of Dockers could honestly feel satisfied with what they'd achieved.

The list of names was pretty short but it did contain 1998 club champion Jason Norrish.

Last Sunday the AFL did come to an end for Norrish and he did it with dignity.

After the disaster of 2001 Fremantle took a step in the right direction this year and Norrish played an important part in the improvement. There was nothing particularly flashy about what he did - never was really - but he did his job, improved on a disappointing, injury ruined 2001 and contributed to the team effort.

Norrish played just 12 games in 2001 and it seemed the writing was on the wall. But he was a star on the track over summer and missed just two games in 2002 - one to attend the birth of twin daughters.

He earned the right to decide his own fate and announced his retirement in the lead-up to the final qualifying round.

So now we've lost two of the best original Dockers - Dale Kickett and Jason Norrish - and already the past-players group is looking a lot more impressive.

Jason Norrish on his lap of honour at Subiaco Oval last Sunday. Photo by Les Everett

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