Brisbane damaged Collingwood's finals hopes with a convincing 123-56 win at the MCG on Saturday night.
Ash McGrath will play his final AFL match at the Gabba on Sunday. Picture: Peter Wallis Source: News Limited
LION King Jonathan Brown has lauded retiring Brisbane forward Ash McGrath as one of the most talented teammates he ever played with.
McGrath, 31, announced yesterday that Sunday's clash with Fremantle at the Gabba would be the 214th and final senior game of his 14-year AFL career.
It is the end of an era at Brisbane with McGrath being the last player from the club's premiership hat-trick in 2001-2003 to hang up the boots.
Brown said McGrath's legacy at the Gabba would be an "old school'' combination of great talent, great bloke and great under pressure.
"He was as naturally gifted as anyone I played alongside, that's for sure,'' Brown said.
Ash McGrath is swamped by teammates after his match-winning goal against Geelong. Picture: Darren England Source: News Limited
"He's the last one of the premiership players to retire but Father Time gets us all eventually and there's no doubt that Ash was a terrific footy talent.
"Ash was under-rated outside of the club but he was a great player for the Lions. Anybody who lasts 14 years has a fair amount of resilience and courage.
"He was versatile and was always good in the big moments. You could always count on him.
"Very few people would have been able to pull off that kick after the siren against Geelong last year.''
McGrath's spine-tingling matchwinner after the siren against the Cats in his 200-game milestone match will forever be a part of Gabba folklore.
Ash McGrath lets the champagne flow after the 2003 Grand Final. Picture: Karen Dodd Source: News Limited
Along with the 2003 grand final victory, his role in the "Miracle on Grass'' win over Geelong was the defining moment of a career that started in 2001 after the South Fremantle product was taken by Brisbane with pick no. 13 in the 2000 draft.
He also listed the comeback finals victory over Carlton in 2009 and the preliminary final win over Sydney in 2003 as high points.
McGrath said the cold, hard realisation that the game had passed him by ensured the decision to retire was an easy one after battling a calf injury all year.
He also joked that looming skin fold tests on Monday would have to be conducted with "BBQ tongs''.
"I've been thinking about it all year. It wasn't until the last month I actually sat down with Leppa and over the last month tried to work out some stuff,'' he said.
"The game's moving forward and I was just finding it a bit tough to back up week to week.
"I was actually sitting down with the wife watching the game (against Collingwood on Saturday) and pretty much said I think that's it for me.
"Just the way the boys played, the young crop coming through are really good and it's an uphill battle for me to push them out the way and get another spot."
Lions senior coach and former Brisbane teammate Justin Leppitsch said McGrath had been a genuine matchwinner as well as a great servant for the club who had resisted the temptation to go home to WA during his career.
"It is a sad day for the club in a lot of ways," Leppitsch said.
"Ash could always turn a game. I think it's a great compliment for anyone that can win a game for your team.
"We talk about Ash's 200th game and we're hoping his last game provides the same result.''
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