Lonergan leaving game on his terms

After 79 games in the red and black, and two more with a yellow sash, enough was enough.

All at the relatively young football age of 26, and with the knowledge that Richmond wanted his services for at least another season.

However, the 50th pick in the 2005 national draft made the decision knowing he could leave the game on his terms.

This option was something that was almost denied after Essendon surprisingly delisted Lonergan at the end of 2012, before Richmond offered a lifeline through the rookie draft.

``It has been a really tough past 24 months, so it was really the right time to move on and start a new chapter of my life,'' the hard-at-it midfielder said.

``We had spoken about another year at Richmond as a rookie, but once you start double questioning things, you're not going to get the best out of yourself.

``I worked hard for eight years to leave a standard and a reputation as someone in the AFL system that works really hard and does all the right things, and as I didn't feel I could tick all those boxes, I didn't want to ruin everything from the last eight years with six months of slipping off the ball.''

While the decision is one for his immediate well-being, it is also tactically based, as the former Launceston player hopes to return to the big league in the future.

However, this would be in an off-field capacity, hopefully as an assistant coach.

``Leaving a year early will hopefully put me in good stead for a few years down the track, and the way people remember me,'' he said.

``If I were to take my foot off the pedal a little bit this upcoming season, it could change people's mindset, so I wanted to leave the game knowing I'd given everything and that I'm the type of person that AFL clubs would want to have back one day.

``I'm 110 per cent sure I dragged everything possible from my body and my ability that I could, which allowed me to survive eight seasons in the system.''

The SANFL is Lonergan's next likely destination, where the Beauty Point product hopes to get his first experience as a playing assistant coach.

He said his AFL debut (in round 15, 2006), his Anzac Day games (including the 2009 win over Collingwood) and his Richmond debut (against his old club in round 9) would always stand out for him.

``That [last] game was pretty special as I was down and out, having left Essendon and coming off severe ankle surgery,'' he said.

``I fought pretty hard for that game. I might have only played one or two games at Richmond, but they were the ones that allowed me to put some icing on the cake of my career and allow me to walk away proud of what I achieved.''

Lonergan was thankful for the support  he received from family and friends in Tasmania during his time in the AFL, saying it played a huge role in him reaching the highest level.

The extra free time on his hands will also allow him to see more of his nephew, Gold Coast midfielder Jesse Lonergan.

``I'll get up there more and visit him now, more so as an uncle rather than anything to do with footy and just be the family support mechanism now,'' he said.

RECRUITED FROM: Launceston Football Club.

DOB: 26/03/1987.

DRAFTED: Pick 50 2005 national draft (to Essendon), pick 22 rookie draft to Richmond.

GAMES: 81 (79 at Essendon, 2 at Richmond).

GOALS: 39 (39 at Essendon, 0 at Richmond).