Liam Fulton Forced into Retirement
- Thread starter Bazzinator
- Start date
What an absolute champion player and guy.
One of the best to wear our jersey. He's made the right decision and I wish him all the best for the future, hope he doesn't go too far from the Tigers as I'm sure there will always be a place for him somewhere in the club.
Not the biggest player on the field, but certainly had the biggest heart. Good luck Fults
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One of the best to wear our jersey. He's made the right decision and I wish him all the best for the future, hope he doesn't go too far from the Tigers as I'm sure there will always be a place for him somewhere in the club.
Not the biggest player on the field, but certainly had the biggest heart. Good luck Fults
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innsaneink
Well-known member
As tough as Hodgo…what a champ
Thanks Liam, all the best for the future
Thanks Liam, all the best for the future
Eye_Of_Da_Tiger
New member
Good on ya buddy. Great club man, big heart and tough. Quite often punched above his weight whilst he wore his heart on hiss sleave. Good to see he took the advice of medics. Family and health first everything else a very distant second. Thanks for the good times and good luck.
Easily my favourite forward of the joint venture's history.
The team was always better when he was selected, despite being underrated by many.
He will obviously still get payed for the term of his contract so hopefully that gives him time to start a new career. I reckon he could give B Ryan a run for his money in the comedy stakes.
The team was always better when he was selected, despite being underrated by many.
He will obviously still get payed for the term of his contract so hopefully that gives him time to start a new career. I reckon he could give B Ryan a run for his money in the comedy stakes.
The_Hawaiian_Tiger
New member
Just lost for words. Always been my favourite WT player. I'm just gobsmacked right now. Thank you for every minute you sweated blood, spat teeth, and gave 110% for this team. So devastating to see you leave, but ecstatic that you stayed loyal to the Tigers. If there were a team made up of nothing but cloned Fultons they would be unbeatable. In an age of players acting like complete and utter Neanderthals, Fulton was the perfect ambassador for the game. Will be sorely sorely missed. Thanks for the memories mate. Glad you got to get a premiership, and you have stamped yourself in the history of our club.
Just devastated and shocked to see you go!
Just devastated and shocked to see you go!
weststigers
Well-known member
I'm totally shattered for poor Liam, but I'm happy he's taking no chances with his health.
I always admired his defence and stamina given the amount of work he got through each game and the fact he never shirked any responsibility, but I'll forever remember him for this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFc4B88IgMM
I always admired his defence and stamina given the amount of work he got through each game and the fact he never shirked any responsibility, but I'll forever remember him for this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFc4B88IgMM
Paris_Cobbs
New member
Liam was one of my very favorite players - very skillful in attack and a perfect defensive technique.
I remember in the last moments of the 2005 Grand Final, Hodgo toed the ball into the in-goal area with Liam and Todd Payten closing in on it together. At the last moment Liam pulled out and allowed Todd to ground the ball for a try in a Grand Final. I suppose Liam thought, as we all did that night, that he would have more chances to score a try in a GF, but as it turned out, he didn't. This selfless act was typical of Liam Fulton.
A true Wests Tigers legend. Farewell and best wishes for the future.
I remember in the last moments of the 2005 Grand Final, Hodgo toed the ball into the in-goal area with Liam and Todd Payten closing in on it together. At the last moment Liam pulled out and allowed Todd to ground the ball for a try in a Grand Final. I suppose Liam thought, as we all did that night, that he would have more chances to score a try in a GF, but as it turned out, he didn't. This selfless act was typical of Liam Fulton.
A true Wests Tigers legend. Farewell and best wishes for the future.
Aladinsane
New member
It was A very sad day yesterday hearing the news of Liam's retirement , but it is fantastic to read how this forum is so united in recognising what a great Club Man & bloke he is.
Hoping he stays at the club in some capacity, as he will be a great asset.Never forget how much fun he was buying everyone shots at the Sackville Hotel after a very Long Grand Final luncheon day on the sauce .
Thanks for the great memories Liam , on &'off the field
Hoping he stays at the club in some capacity, as he will be a great asset.Never forget how much fun he was buying everyone shots at the Sackville Hotel after a very Long Grand Final luncheon day on the sauce .
Thanks for the great memories Liam , on &'off the field
Gary_Bakerloo
New member
Refer bolded section…..would scare the daylights out of me at the age of 30:
Liam Fulton puts family first and calls it quits on NRL career
Date July 10, 2014 - 6:27PM
Adrian Proszenko
Most of Liam Fulton's 20-plus concussions were badges of honour.
They were opportunities to show his toughness by climbing to his feet, stumbling back into the defensive line and ensuring his beloved Wests Tigers were never a player short. But the last few head knocks were different.
"I was suffering from headaches from round three onwards but wasn't telling anyone," Fulton said.
"I was focused on wanting to play. I had other injuries with my foot and back, and the last thing I wanted to do was tell them I couldn't train because of a headache."
There were other symptoms, too. After repeated concussions in what would prove to be the final year of an illustrious career, other worrying signs emerged. **The veteran front-rower's short-term memory was shot. Stories he told would be retold again and again. When a teammate asked whether he had played against North Queensland earlier this year, Fulton didn't know.\
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"I was waking up confused, not knowing what day it is," he said.\
\
"It gave me a real headache just having to concentrate on something. Sometimes I would wonder – did I eat breakfast this morning? Just the littlest things. Earlier on, my days were going quickly and I wondered what I had even done that day.**
**"I remember telling the doctor about being in the moment – I'm there, but the lights aren't on. Not taking things in. It's good to get it off my chest and finish off."**
The finish Fulton refers to is his retirement announcement on Thursday. Aside from a short stint in the Super League, Fulton played all of his top-flight games for the Tigers, including the 2005 grand final triumph. The local junior had shown courage in getting up from all the tough knocks but his decision not to risk another is the bravest act of all. With his 30th birthday in sight, Fulton decided his priority was to be fit for his wife and 10-month-old child rather than the club he bled for.
"Everything I'm going through now is reversible," he said.
"My short-term memory will be cleared up, the headaches. Ultimately, if I came back and I wasn't 100 per cent and got a head knock, I am at high risk of causing long-term, permanent damage.
"My wife [Stacey] is pretty happy I ended up retiring because she was sick of seeing me get knocked out. She was pretty worried.
"She said the decision was up to me but if I got another knock I'd be missing out on a lot of things, like my daughter.
"If I got brain damage from it, from playing on selfishly, that would be disappointing. That's not the right thing to do."
The popular back-rower said the NRL's new concussion protocols, and his club's adherence to them, may have saved him from himself.
"[In the past] you get a little knock, you're half knocked out and if you can just stumble into the line, you wait until a try is scored or a scrum so you've got a moment to regather yourself," he said.
"That's happened plenty of times. That's not just me, that's widespread around the game.
"The NRL have taken big steps with the concussion rule, and good on them. Same with all of our Tigers staff, they have put the players' welfare in front of results. That's a really big step for a professional team when you all want to win."
Fulton won't be lost to the game. The joint-venture club will offer him opportunities in a number of roles, from marketing to junior development, as part of a two-year off-field contract.
"I was choking up a bit telling the boys, you get a bit emotional because you see these guys every day," he said of the end of his playing career. "Not being able to play with them again, it's not the best thing to tell them but I got it off my chest and feel a bit relieved."
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Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/liam-fulton-puts-family-first-and-calls-it-quits-on-nrl-career-20140710-zt3be.html#ixzz376QG5ho9
Liam Fulton puts family first and calls it quits on NRL career
Date July 10, 2014 - 6:27PM
Adrian Proszenko
Most of Liam Fulton's 20-plus concussions were badges of honour.
They were opportunities to show his toughness by climbing to his feet, stumbling back into the defensive line and ensuring his beloved Wests Tigers were never a player short. But the last few head knocks were different.
"I was suffering from headaches from round three onwards but wasn't telling anyone," Fulton said.
"I was focused on wanting to play. I had other injuries with my foot and back, and the last thing I wanted to do was tell them I couldn't train because of a headache."
There were other symptoms, too. After repeated concussions in what would prove to be the final year of an illustrious career, other worrying signs emerged. **The veteran front-rower's short-term memory was shot. Stories he told would be retold again and again. When a teammate asked whether he had played against North Queensland earlier this year, Fulton didn't know.\
\
"I was waking up confused, not knowing what day it is," he said.\
\
"It gave me a real headache just having to concentrate on something. Sometimes I would wonder – did I eat breakfast this morning? Just the littlest things. Earlier on, my days were going quickly and I wondered what I had even done that day.**
**"I remember telling the doctor about being in the moment – I'm there, but the lights aren't on. Not taking things in. It's good to get it off my chest and finish off."**
The finish Fulton refers to is his retirement announcement on Thursday. Aside from a short stint in the Super League, Fulton played all of his top-flight games for the Tigers, including the 2005 grand final triumph. The local junior had shown courage in getting up from all the tough knocks but his decision not to risk another is the bravest act of all. With his 30th birthday in sight, Fulton decided his priority was to be fit for his wife and 10-month-old child rather than the club he bled for.
"Everything I'm going through now is reversible," he said.
"My short-term memory will be cleared up, the headaches. Ultimately, if I came back and I wasn't 100 per cent and got a head knock, I am at high risk of causing long-term, permanent damage.
"My wife [Stacey] is pretty happy I ended up retiring because she was sick of seeing me get knocked out. She was pretty worried.
"She said the decision was up to me but if I got another knock I'd be missing out on a lot of things, like my daughter.
"If I got brain damage from it, from playing on selfishly, that would be disappointing. That's not the right thing to do."
The popular back-rower said the NRL's new concussion protocols, and his club's adherence to them, may have saved him from himself.
"[In the past] you get a little knock, you're half knocked out and if you can just stumble into the line, you wait until a try is scored or a scrum so you've got a moment to regather yourself," he said.
"That's happened plenty of times. That's not just me, that's widespread around the game.
"The NRL have taken big steps with the concussion rule, and good on them. Same with all of our Tigers staff, they have put the players' welfare in front of results. That's a really big step for a professional team when you all want to win."
Fulton won't be lost to the game. The joint-venture club will offer him opportunities in a number of roles, from marketing to junior development, as part of a two-year off-field contract.
"I was choking up a bit telling the boys, you get a bit emotional because you see these guys every day," he said of the end of his playing career. "Not being able to play with them again, it's not the best thing to tell them but I got it off my chest and feel a bit relieved."
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Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/liam-fulton-puts-family-first-and-calls-it-quits-on-nrl-career-20140710-zt3be.html#ixzz376QG5ho9
larrycorowa
New member
Absolute legend…..our most consistent player. Thinking of making the trip down for his farewell.
tigerbenji
Well-known member
Top bloke, & top player, Always had time to talk & give an Autograph, One of my favourite Players. All the best in the Future Liam to you & your Family, You will be missed not only as a Player but a good Bloke as well.
