PORT ADELAIDE SANFL Captain Steven Summerton has announced he will retire from SANFL football at the end of the season.
Summerton, who played his 200th game in 2017 and was this year given SANFL life membership, made his league debut in 2006.
A hard-working, courageous and skilful player on the field, and a modest and loyal person off it, he embodied the Port Adelaide spirit throughout a 13-year career.
He’ll bow out after the Magpies take on North Adelaide at Prospect next weekend and go down as an all-time club great.
“I just feel it’s the right time for me,” he told portadelaidefc.com.au.
“Obviously things have changed a fair bit around the club, I’ve been through so many changes here - I’ve enjoyed some of them, some of them I haven’t enjoyed so much.
“Body-wise I still feel good, but I just feel it’s the right time to step away and I’m really excited about the next chapter in my life.”
A three-time Best and Fairest winner, Summerton has also won numerous fan favourite awards, a Fos Williams Memorial Trophy in 2013 as the club’s most dedicated player, and twice won the Max Porter Memorial Trophy as
The 30-year-old represented South Australia on three occasions and became Magpies captain in 2014.
He admits to still pinching himself when he sees his name on the famous number 1
“It’s surreal,” he said.
“Every time I walk into the locker room and see my name up next to some of the greats of the club like Russell Ebert and Timmy Ginever and those sorts – not that I put myself in such a high standing with blokes like that,” he said.
“But it is a special feeling to see my name up there with guys like that.”
Summerton played at North Haven and Port Districts as a junior but was destined to represent the club he idolised.
Born to one-eyed Port Adelaide supporting parents, Sue and Lynn and having had his grandfather Ron Hall also play for the Magpies between 1945 and 1949, there was never any doubt in his mind that he too would don the prison bars.
His one regret – that he never joined the legions of premiership players at Port Adelaide.
“Obviously it would have been nice to cap off the career with a premiership or two,” he said.
“We got close a couple of times but that’s footy.
“Sometimes it can be a pretty brutal sport and you don’t always get what you deserve.
“That’d be the only regret but I’ve put my heart and soul into the club and the captaincy and I’ve made lifelong friends here.”
Port Adelaide chief executive Keith Thomas praised Summerton for his character, durability and contribution to the club.
“Steven will go down in the history of the club as a significant player and leader,” he said.
“He stuck by the club when many others chose to leave and he guided the Magpies through a difficult transition period.
“Steven has been a tireless servant of our club and for years has demonstrated the skill, courage and determination we expect of everyone who puts on the jumper.
“Unfortunately, he never won a premiership, but his leadership, loyalty and dedication to Port Adelaide cannot be questioned.
“Steven is a true Port Adelaide person and he will be forever respected and admired for his loyalty to our club. It goes without saying that he will always be part of the Port Adelaide family.”
Summerton plans to continue playing football, but could never bring himself to wear the colours of
“I definitely still think I’ve got a few years of good footy left in me so I’ll be looking to have a kick somewhere next year and hopefully get a few good mates together and play together,” he said.
“I’ve always said I wanted to be a
“I’ve absolutely loved my time here, it’s been a massive part of my life and hopefully it always will be.”
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