Marty Mattner retires effective immediately

[elastic]

One of my favourite players. Always gave 100% and super courageous.

[Triple B]

I hope in 20 years Adelaide are feeling the same pain as Footscray are feeling at the minute every time Ben and Sam Reid light it up...

[Ludwig]

Could not believe how lucky we were that we got him from Adelaide. Always played liked a Blood. He was obviously slowing down over the past couple of years, then the double hip surgery in the off-season. Couldn't have been easy playing in pain all that time. 222 games is a pretty good career. Had some big moments with us.

[Beerman]

Was it against Adelaide, at the SCG about three years ago that he made a game-saving chase and tackle in the last quarter? Ran down a player inside our defensive 50 who looked set to make any easy shot. Fond memories.

[alt_mattr]

Farewell Marty, thanks for all the fish.

[ernie koala]

Fantastic career, premiership player, unheralded team player, incredibly brave player, consistently good player, tough as nails player.....will be sorely missed !

He carried out the bravest job on the field, week in week out....ie Back backwards, into the hole, in front of leading forwards..eyes on the ball.

[ShockOfHair]

Kudos to Nico for predicting this.

Mattner was a favourite player of mine even before he joined the Swans; he was star in the 2002 SANFL grand

Every great defence needs a player like Mattner. One commentator said his highlights reel is like a wildlife documentary of a predator bringing down hapless victims.

Even on replay my jaw drops when I watch him come away with the ball and Birchall lying on the ground. One of the great grand final moments.

[Triple B]

Was it against Adelaide, at the SCG about three years ago that he made a game-saving chase and tackle in the last quarter? Ran down a player inside our defensive 50 who looked set to make any easy shot. Fond memories.

He's done so many they all roll into one in my memory. I vividly remember him pulling down Jack Riewoldt in the square at the SCG some years back, he may well have done the same in a Crows game...

[swanwolf]

The name's Mattner... Martin Mattner. Seriously, get that man a martini and a tux and he'll be the next James Bond!

Swans have often recruited players that performed well against us from other clubs and Mattner was a perfect example. That he has contributed in no small way to our success while battling through chronic pain is testament to his courage and committment. Above this, Martin's talent and ability were never wasted by the effort he put in which is as much as you can ask of any player.

He suffered for the team but we never suffered because of him. True champion.

[Matimbo]

Well done on a great career Marty. And especially for your contribution in last year's flag. Wishing you all the best in retirement. Sad that you had to call it quits without a final game where we could cheer you on. But I expect there will be a retirement lap of honour arranged for you soon at an SCG match - I'll be there to say thx.

[Ludwig]

The desperation tackle was his specialty. You can make a highlight reel of them.

[ScottH]

Truly very sad. I have never been a huge fan of the flashy player - and Marty was the ultimate as a blue collar defender so I loved him - always covering reg and ted, always supporting our attacks and for me it was his running in the gf as well as the tackle that mattered - he ran from our fifty to inside theirs and then out again to get birchall. Wonderful committed professional.

As important as that GF tackle was, I think the best one he ever laid was on the Tiger running into an open goal at the SCG, which would have given the Tiges the Lead and possibly the match.

[Meg]

Socks up Marty, socks down Reg ... works EVERY time.

NOW you tell me! But seriously so sorry to see Marty go. Knowing he was in our back line gave me a nice secure feeling. The highlights video up on the Swans site is just a small sample of what he did regularly. Delighted to hear him say that he would keep on helping out the defence players in the Reserves. And also that he would complete his carpentry course. I'm sure he will be a success at whatever he does. Best wishes for you and your lovely family for the future Marty.

[ShockOfHair]

As important as that GF tackle was, I think the best one he ever laid was on the Tiger running into an open goal at the SCG, which would have given the Tiges the Lead and possibly the match.

Yeah, that was exactly. It's on the highlights video on the SWans website now. That and the Birchall humiliation are what he will be remembered for.

[gossipcom]

Best wishes to Marty and his family on his retirement. Another one of my favourites I'll miss seeing run around.