TOM ROCKLIFF did it his way. There is not his dream ending of an AFL premiership, but every other chapter across 13 seasons of senior football was much more than many others could have imagined.
"Every pig has their day - and today is mine," Rockliff told his Port Adelaide team-mates on Tuesday morning after being forced into retirement by blood clots that formed while he was recuperating from surgery on one knee and an injury to the other.
"I turned up (at Brisbane) as an 18-year-old who was overweight, can't run, can't jump, can't do this, can't do that, can't kick over 30 (metres) ... and I leave the game exactly the same way. But I have been able to play 200 along the way.
"I would not change a thing ... I have loved every moment of my time at Port Adelaide.
"It is a shame to end this way, but the way the Port Adelaide family and community has embraced me and my family since I got here, I can't thank them enough. It has been a really special journey."
Rockliff's football career - and life - threatened during an SANFL game in May when both of his knees were injured.
"Stupidly, we were winning quite comfortably and Ken (Hinkley) should have picked me in the seniors that week; he didn't and I was running around in the SANFL," Rockliff recalled. "I went up for a spoil, came down and hurt both my knees in the same incident.
"I think I am the first person to ever do that. One required surgery and you normally walk out of that. But with the other knee (injured) I could not walk out and then I spent two or three days on the couch and bed and did not move because I couldn't with both knees shot.
"A clot formed in my calf. A couple went up to the lungs. It was a little bit hairy there for a bit."
Despite taking to blood thinners, Rockliff is unable to return to contact sport while there is the risk of internal bleeding. Rockliff settled on retirement eight days ago after consulting a doctor 48 hours earlier.
"Unfortunately," said Rockliff, "the blood clots have not cleared ...
"Family has to come first," added Rockliff who is awaiting the birth of his second son.
"I was not comfortable to continue to play and to put my family through a worst-possible case. If it was a shoulder or a knee or something like that, something that I could repair I would have pushed and done everything I can.
"The risk (from the blood clot) is a little bit high and I have to continue with blood thinners for a little bit longer. The clot is still there and speaking to the doctors it could hang around for a long period of time."
Rockliff told his Port Adelaide team-mates "I don't think (the club) has seen me at my best ... which hurts a little bit. There are a number of reasons that went into that as to why I was not able to perform to the best.
"We had a good little period and some good moments," added Rockliff. "But not as consistent over the four year as I would have liked. I have always tried my best when I was out there."
Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley found this self-assessment harsh.
"Tom played some of his absolute best football for us," Hinkley said. "Two shoulders, a knee and this in a short period of time made it really hard for Tom to always be at his absolute best.
"But when he was, last year in particular when we had a really strong season, Tom was front and centre of that as an inside-mid who was really important to the way we played.
"He brings so much more to your football team than just the playing part. Tom brings so much excitement and fun to our footy club. It has been a pleasure to have him here ... sometimes he has been an absolute pain (with his pranks). But he brings so much pleasure to so many people.
"It is a credit to him, the type of person he is that he came into our football club four years ago and it feels like he has been here forever. I am sure the boys are going to miss him around the locker room, no doubt about that. And we will miss him on the football field."
Born at Benalla in Victoria in February 1990, Rockliff moved from country Victoria to the Brisbane Lions Football Club as the No.5 pick in the 2009 AFL pre-season draft. He made his AFL debut against Collingwood in round 18, 2009 - his only senior game for that season - and after 154 matches with Brisbane took up free agency to join Port Adelaide in 2018.
His first AFL match with Port Adelaide was the season-opener against Fremantle in 2018. His 54th and last was in the round 2 clash with Essendon this season.
Rockliff's resume includes All-Australian honours in 2014, captaincy at Brisbane from 2015-16, two Merrett-Murray Medals (Brisbane best and fairest - 2011 and 2014) and a Rising Star nomination in 2010. He had to wait until his 205th senior match to play his first AFL final, the qualifying final against Geelong at Adelaide Oval last season.
"There is no doubt that first final here in front of a packed house last year was a really special moment," Rockliff said. "To go 200-odd games without playing in one final - and then the way we played against Geelong that night, we did it the right way. That feeling after winning a qualifying final was something I will never forget."
Rockliff leaves the AFL as a player saying: "I would not change the ride. It has been an incredible journey and last year's preliminary final (against eventual premier Richmond at Adelaide Oval) still hurts. We should have been a bit further in front heading towards that last quarter.
"It would have been lovely to have won one (flag) ... and to have played more finals. But not everyone gets a perfect script. Bar the blood clots, I was doing every thing to get back this year.
"We have a special group at the moment that can do some pretty big damage in September. We sit right where we want to in the top four ... and hopefully can have a really strong final month to the season. I will be as much a part of it, even if I am not playing."
The move to Port Adelaide brought Rockliff to a football club that has left a strong impression.
"There is so much history when you walk through these doors, Rockliff said. “It means so much to so many people. You don't really know that until I got here. But you quickly understand and quickly appreciate what and why it is such a special club."
Rockliff has proven capable of moving to coaching - as noted by his work at Alberton this season - and to media. Hinkley recognised Rockliff not only as a determined, creative footballer but also "a brilliant football brain ... as intelligent a football person as you will ever see."
"Could I coach?" asked Rockliff. "I think I could, but I don't know what is next for me ...
"I love Port Adelaide and AFL footy, so if I am to stay in footy and stay in coaching, that is certainly an option that I will definitely look at."
