Greatbatch hangs up his boots

Greatbatch has been a rock in the Greens pack in 2011 and provided the experienced head in an otherwise young Emus outfit heading into their Blowes Menswear Cup finals campaign.

His fairytale, though, wasn’t meant to be.

The 35-year-old hung up his boots in the Endeavour Oval dressing sheds at the end of Sunday’s do-or-die clash with their cross-town rivals.

“It was (my last game). The mind is willing but the body is not,” Greatbatch said.

Greatbatch first played for Emus in the under 7s.

In close to 30 years with the Greens, the big lock has become part of the fabric of the club.

He is renowned for his bruising defence and when in possession of the ball, took plenty of stopping.

Greatbatch said winning back-to-back competition’s with the Greens was the highlight of his career.

“Obviously winning the comps in 1999 and 2000,” he said.

“It’s been 28, 30 years but they’re probably the pick of them.”

He said he will still be involved within the club.

“I’m still a director on the board. I’ll be around the joint,” he said.

But as for playing again, it’s going to take some convincing to get him back out on the park.

“My young bloke Sam wants me to have a run with him when he is old enough but that’ll make me 42,” he laughed.

Emus were winning Sunday’s minor semi-final clash with Orange City 25-20 deep into injury time.

However, a late try to Lions replacement prop John Colgan on the last play of the day and a conversion from winger Dan Cullinane snatched victory from the Greens.

Following their 27-25 win, Orange City are now just one game away from securing their place in the 2011 grand final at Narromine.

Greatbatch said Sunday’s loss was a tough way for it all to end.

“It is disappointing. It always is after a loss but in an elimination semi, it just topped it off,” he said.

“Full credit to City though. They were physical. Big Mafu (Afele Tongia) pinched a lot of our ball and Josh Maley proved a handful. They’ve probably got the team to go on with it.”

2011 has been a memorable one for Greatbatch.

Emus have been one of the best sides all season, winning 10-straight games leading into the semi-finals before bowing out with consecutive losses to Parkes and the Lions.

Still, with a stack of young talent, he believes the future is a bright one for the Greens.

“There is a very good platform for them to work with,” Greatbatch said. “Gooly (Tom Goolagong), Tarlo (Nick Tarleton), Parkesy (Ben Parkes), the youngest of these guys is probably about 20. Levi (Russell), Whitey (Isaac White), Mitch Evers, there’s years ahead of these guys.

“And with (coaches) Pauly Ringland and Dave Cleal there they’ll win more games than they lose.”

They’ll just have to do so without Greatbatch.

“I definitely won’t be playing first grade again. It was good to finish the year off with the boys,” he said.