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Megan Gale has taken to Instagram to make a heartfelt announcement about her husband Shaun Hampson’s career – confirming he has retired from AFL after suffering from a series of injuries.
“This guy 💛,” she simply began the post.
“When he wasn’t injured, he was one of the best tap ruckmen in the AFL. Not bad for someone who hadn’t even picked up a footy until his mid-teens. Unfortunately, injuries for him were common, often debilitating & most of the time, pushed to one side while he played on & on & often in agony unbeknownst to a lot of people,” she wrote.
“2016 was his best season to date & he dominated in the ruck for @richmond_fc & 2017 was looking bright…until his back gave out on him. After enduring countless procedures to get his back right again so he could reclaim his position in the squad (I’ve lost count how many needles he’s had into his spine & his L5 disc) he fought back bloody hard & he almost got there at the end of the season, listed as an emergency for the Tigers for the 2017 AFL Grand Final. But it wasn’t to be.”
“I can’t imagine the feeling of trying to overcome all kinds of physical, emotional & mental obstacles to get to an end goal, the ultimate goal of your whole career & only just missing out. Only to watch all of your brothers forge ahead & claim victory & glory without you. And then, as an added kicker, narrowly missing out on reaching 100 games.”
The model then went on to praise her husband for his incredible attitude despite such a difficult period in his life. “He never once said anything negative about that. Or any of it. I’ve never seen someone persevere, persist & be so professional while battling & dealing with some serious levels of pain. And all the while managing to laugh, joke, keep his spirits up, support his teammates to the enth degree & do everything in his power to still give 100% to his club.”
“And then at the end of those long, hard days, still manage to come home & give 100% to his kids & not let the strain of the day impact on his ability to be an amazing Dad & partner.”
Gale then went on to admit her partner and the father of her children would be “quite embarrassed” that she has posted the heartfelt letter, but it was something she “felt had to be said.”
Too sweet. Wishing Shaun all the best in his future endeavours.
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