St Kilda’s Aaron Hamill has retired after seven seasons at the Club and 190 career matches.
A strong and tough player, Hamill began his AFL career with Carlton, taken as their 5th round selection in 1994. He was then traded by the Blues in the 2000 National AFL Draft for Sam Cranage and No. 4 (Luke Livingston), where he arrived at St Kilda and proved to be a vital asset to the Club’s forward set up.
Hamill was recently approached by the Saints to discuss his playing options. After having time to reflect on his future, Hamill felt it was in the Club’s best interest to retire.
“The decision to retire has been one of the hardest to make in my football career. However, I felt it was in the best interest of the club moving forward. This will now allow a younger player to step up and cement themselves in the St Kilda side.”
”I would like to thank my family and close friends for their support over the journey. I am grateful to the Carlton Football Club for providing me with the opportunity to play and develop as a footballer.
Their inspirational leaders taught me to crave success and dedication to a cause, which will stay with me forever. I would also like to express my gratitude to Grant Thomas whose efforts did not go unnoticed by the playing group during his 6 years as coach. I wish Ross Lyon and the St Kilda Football Club all the best moving forward and hope that the current playing group will achieve the ultimate success” Hamill said.
During his time at the Saints, Hamill brought both maturity and stability to the Club and his onfield presence was never questioned. His dominance on the ground and ability to motivate and lead the team was most evident when he captained the Saints in 2003.
St Kilda coach, Ross Lyon reflected on Hamill’s contribution to the Club. “Aaron is a tremendously respected figure and he has played a significant role in getting this team to where it stands today. We all wish him the best in his retirement as he prepares for life after footy”.
Aaron Hamill Facts
Recruited from: Tuggeranong (ACT)/Carlton
Previous AFL Club: Carlton (1996-2000: 92 games, 114 goals)
AFL Debut: 1996
ST KFC Debut: 2001
DOB: 20/08/1977
Height: 184cm
Weight: 94kg
Career Games: 190
Career Goals: 239
Brownlow Medal: career votes 22. Previous AFL club: Carlton (1996-2000: 92 games, 114 goals).
Player honours: 3rd St Kilda best and fairest 2001; St Kilda pre-season premiership side 2004;
Carlton pre-season premiership side 1997; St Kilda captain 2003.
