Essendon Premiership player Dean Solomon has announced his retirement from AFL football because of on-going injury problems. Solomon, a favourite among Bombers fans and team-mates, finishes his AFL career after 12 years and 209 games.

Solomon made his AFL debut in 1998, playing 158 games for the Bombers, including the club’s 2000 Premiership. The 30-year-old later played 51 games for Fremantle after being recruited from Essendon at the end of 2006.

Thanks to DESA Australia, watch Tyson Slattery visit Wadeye - including doing a backflip into the local swimming hole - as part of the club's community partnership by clicking here. 
 
Former teammate and good friend Mark McVeigh said Solomon would be remembered for his commitment to his team-mates, for the courage he displayed on the field and the loyalty he showed off it.

 

“He was a wonderful Essendon person, a team-mate loved by everyone and a friend to everyone,” McVeigh said.

 

“He was someone who would be there for anyone – any team-mate at any time. He would drop everything to be there for you.

 

“No-one will forget the back-line of 1999 and the 2000 premiership and Solly was a huge part of that.

 

“He is a hard man and I would say he is the toughest player I have ever seen. He is tough in all areas, there’s no doubt about that but he had a real soft spot as well that a lot of people outside of a footy club wouldn’t see - he is actually a really caring person.""

 

Solomon was also a member of the 2000 pre-season Premiership side. He finished 3rd in Essendon's best and fairest in 2004.

 

Essendon will recognise the efforts of Solomon and his team-mates from the 2000 side as the club celebrates the 10th anniversary of the 2000 Premiership at Crown Palladium on July 11 this year.

 

McVeigh said he was looking forward to celebrating what was both a highlight of Solomon’s career and an important part of the club’s history.

 

“I was part of the list at that time and was fortunate to have been at the club when we won that Premiership. That would be one of the highlights of my career and my time at Essendon and also the history of the place,” McVeigh said.
 
Click here to book your tickets to the 2000 Premiership anniversary dinner.