Former #22 Matthew Leuenberger

[Sweet16]

dont think so. his statement indicated he would be moving outside of footy

[Wanderlust]

Was that the game that Jamar hurt his hammy but came on just to knock someone out knowing he’d be out injured for a while anyway?

[Bully]

Hope it doesn’t effect belly he always plays better when there is a genuine contender to his number 1 mantle. I liked luey, he was pretty unco but never seemed to get pantsed, the old style ruckman that just cancelled out the other ruckman for a nil all draw, which was perfect as a back up.

[Tezzalenco]

When Draper starts to dominate in the seniors we all know who to thank for guiding him there. All the best Matty and thanks for being a great clubman.

[bloodychoir]

We’ve had some very good rucking mentors, hope we can continue that trend

[aboods]

Is Jamar still a ruck coach for us?

[andrewb]

We would like to announce that Essendon veteran, Matthew Leuenberger, has decided to retire from AFL.

Leuenberger played 29 games in the red and black, following 108 games for the Brisbane Lions.

The Ruckman was offered a contract by the Club but wished to begin a new chapter of his life outside of football.

Leuenberger thanked the Club for the opportunity to play at Essendon.

“I would like to thank the club for the past three years,” Leuenberger said.

“It has been a thrill to experience the likes of ANZAC Day and watch the group grow to a point where anything is possible next season.

“I felt like the flame is now burning too low to compete every day at training let alone game day, and it would have been selfish of me to show up for another season.

“I look forward to sitting back as an Essendon fan to watch next season unfold.

“Everyone should be excited in the direction Essendon is going. For those who don’t see it every week, there are some brilliant kids coming through the VFL and their development along with the recent success at the trade table makes for a really exciting time.

“I would like to thank my teammates, coaches, friends, fans and in particular my family who have supported me through every up and down.

“Also, to the Brisbane Lions who gave me my first opportunity to play football at the highest level, thank you.”

Leuenberger joined the club during the 2015 NAB AFL Trade Period as a free agent.

GM Football, Dan Richardson, thanked Leuenberger for his commitment to the Bombers over his three years at The Hangar.

“Leuey is a great person and although we would’ve loved to see him continue, we are excited to see what lies ahead for him in the future,” Richardson said.
“He has shown dedication in all that he does and has been a great mentor to our younger players through their development."

We wish Leuey, Jess, Luca and Bodhi all the best for the next chapter.[quote=“People_s_Prince, post:711, topic:2917, full:true”]
We would like to announce that Essendon veteran, Matthew Leuenberger, has decided to retire from AFL.

Leuenberger played 29 games in the red and black, following 108 games for the Brisbane Lions.

The Ruckman was offered a contract by the Club but wished to begin a new chapter of his life outside of football.

Leuenberger thanked the Club for the opportunity to play at Essendon.

“I would like to thank the club for the past three years,” Leuenberger said.

“It has been a thrill to experience the likes of ANZAC Day and watch the group grow to a point where anything is possible next season.

“I felt like the flame is now burning too low to compete every day at training let alone game day, and it would have been selfish of me to show up for another season.

“I look forward to sitting back as an Essendon fan to watch next season unfold.

“Everyone should be excited in the direction Essendon is going. For those who don’t see it every week, there are some brilliant kids coming through the VFL and their development along with the recent success at the trade table makes for a really exciting time.

“I would like to thank my teammates, coaches, friends, fans and in particular my family who have supported me through every up and down.

“Also, to the Brisbane Lions who gave me my first opportunity to play football at the highest level, thank you.”

Leuenberger joined the club during the 2015 NAB AFL Trade Period as a free agent.

GM Football, Dan Richardson, thanked Leuenberger for his commitment to the Bombers over his three years at The Hangar.

“Leuey is a great person and although we would’ve loved to see him continue, we are excited to see what lies ahead for him in the future,” Richardson said.
“He has shown dedication in all that he does and has been a great mentor to our younger players through their development."

We wish Leuey, Jess, Luca and Bodhi all the best for the next chapter.

Thanks Luey. Interesting we offered him a contract and he turned it down.

We will need to draft a ruck now.

I think we always did need to draft one. We’ve got a lot of our long term list management eggs in the Draper basket at the moment- we will need a gun ruck in 2-3 years when the current crop of 20-25 year olds hit their peak and a solid backup

[Zimmer]

“I felt like the flame is now burning too low to compete every day at training let alone game day, and it would have been selfish of me to show up for another season.

“I look forward to sitting back as an Essendon fan to watch next season unfold"

Thanks Burger. You’ve been a fantastic clubman since coming to us. Wish you’d stuck around for another year. Always gave 100%

[Ants]

Thanks Berger for the assistance, especially in 2016.

Does mean we have one less top 10 draftee on the list!

[8485backtoback]

Thanks Burger a fantastic clubman . Wish you’d stuck around for 2019

[Paul_Cousins]

He’s a big loss Leuey, played fantastic footy for much of the season despite having to play forward a lot more than he’d probably have ideally liked to, would’ve been first ruck for a lot of AFL teams last season. His loss will particularly be felt culturally though, ripping person around the club.