Retired captain Richie Vandenberg was absent due to hisbrother’s wedding, but fellow retirees Ben Dixon and Joel Smith spoke of theirfeelings about life after football.

Dixon,who has been suffering with an ongoing knee injury for the last four years,admitted that one of the most difficult things was telling his parents that hisfootball days were coming to an end.

“I said to mum and dad ‘I might retire’,” he said.

“Dad, who played league level and knows what it’s like said,‘Yes, it’s a good decision, your body’s not up to it’. Mum said, ‘Is there notsome way you can just keep going?’ I said ‘No, not unless they put a wooden legon me and it works pretty well’,” he laughed.

The 30-year-old said that he hopes to remain connected tothe club, which he regards as “his second family”.

“Although I’m retiring I’m certainly not leaving, because Ilove the club and I still want to be involved. Whether that’s going to thefooty and watching, but I want to be involved.”

Dixonalso thanked former Hawks great Jason Dunstall for his support.

“Bung’s been a great sounding board for me whenever I’vebeen in trouble or I’m a bit rattled and need advice. Sometimes it’s good,sometimes it’s bad but I love the way he delivers it; he’s very honest.”

Hawks star Shane Crawford paid tribute to Dixon who said he was the ultimate “teamman”.

“If you ask any of his teammates, he’s extremely highlyrespected and he’s going to be sorely missed. Hopefully we can get him involvedin the club,” Crawford said.

Joel Smith, whose family is involved in the thoroughbredhorse industry, admitted that retiring from the game wasn’t going to be easy.

“I suppose the hardest thing about retiring is therealisation that the dream is over,” he said.

“Life after football will be scary because it’s all I’veever done, but at the same time it’s exciting because at the end of the daythere’s more to life than footy.”