Jarrod Young’s stellar career has ended, with the Inverleigh midfielder announcing his retirement.
The 38-year-old has called time after a career that saw him play at both SANFL and VFL levels, help junior club Grovedale to its only GFNL grand final appearance, and co-coach Geelong Amateur.
The Hawks’ drought-breaking premiership was a fitting farewell for Young, who had played in four grand final defeats and five losing preliminary final appearances before tasting the ultimate success.
“It was satisfying,” Young, who will become a father for a second time in April, said. “As you get a bit older, you realise it’s not the be-all and end-all; it’s a nice to have.
“But, I was rapt it finished the way it did because I’ve been on the end of a little bit of heartbreak.
“It was satisfying to get up on the podium for once.”
Young revealed he made the call to hang up the boots late in the home-and-away season.
“I was driving to the Bannockburn game in Round 16, and I was in the car by myself,” he said.
“It was weird before the game, and I thought to myself, ‘I don’t think I really want to do this anymore after this year’.
“I went out against Banno that day and played pretty well, which was good, and then I got home and told the family.”
Young estimates he has played more than 350 open-age games of footy, including more than 100 across seniors and reserves at Werribee, around 70 with Port Adelaide, and in the Northern Territory with Waratah.
At the SANFL Magpies, he was twice named most dedicated and once honoured as best team man.
“There were special moments throughout (my career),” Young said.
“My first senior game at Werribee; going over to play in front of 10,000 people Port versus Norwood; playing some Territory footy.
“Then, getting the opportunity to coach and finish off with a couple of close mates out at Inverleigh at a great little club and break the drought is just as special.
“I’ve been very blessed to play at some great clubs and meet some amazing people along the way.”
Young also looks back fondly on his return to Grovedale in 2013 when the Tigers came from claiming the wooden spoon the previous year to within 20 points of their first GFNL premiership.
“It was special from the perspective of coming home and playing with my younger brother (Cameron), who is six years younger,” he said.
“As a Grovedale junior, growing up watching them, they were never really successful.
“To go very close in ’13 was awesome.”
Co-coach with Rowan McSparron at Ammos across 2017-18, Young hasn’t ruled out a return to coaching in the future.
“I would like to … when the time’s right,” he said. “I’ve got a young family now, and I’ve put a lot of time and effort into footy.
“When the right opportunity comes along, and if it works in with the family, then I’ll definitely jump at it, for sure.”
Young is the second confirmed departure from Inverleigh’s premiership team.
Former Grovedale and Geelong Amateur teammate Brad Surkitt will coach Colac and District League club South Colac in 2024.
