Outgoing Geelong midfielder Sam Menegola has bid farewell to the game following his Kardinia Park departure.
The Cats revealed prior to their season-ending meeting with the Western Bulldogs that the Round 24 affair would be Menegola's last in the hoops following 117 games for the club.
The return appearance would be Menegola's only game for the 2023 season following knee and concussion setbacks, with the veteran wingman having managed just seven appearances the year prior due to similar concerns.
Geelong decided not to offer the 31-year-old a contract for 2024, with Menegola potentially landing on his fourth AFL list after past connections with Hawthorn and Fremantle a decade ago before linking up with the Cats.
In an emotional post on Instagram this week, Menegola shared images from his final match with his two sons and partner Emma, noting his time in football had come to an end.
"Too special not to share. Grateful this is the way my time in the game ended," Menegola wrote.
"To all those that invested themselves in helping me, thank you - especially @emmaitzstein, my weekends are all yours now. Sort of ๐ฒโ๏ธ."
Menegola ends his career after 13 years in the system, having first been drafted to Hawthorn ahead of the 2011 season as a rookie. After 12 months, the midfielder would be delisted by the Hawks before returning to his home state of Western Australia, joining Fremantle as a rookie draft selection.
Following three years with the Dockers, Menegola would again be cut from an AFL list, with the Perth-born onballer signing with WAFL side Subiaco, where he would help lead the Lions to a premiership win and finish third in the Sandover Medal standings.
The Cats would be the next club to come calling, selecting Menegola with the 66th overall pick in the 2015 National Draft. Menegola would play eight games in his maiden year with Geelog before cementing his place in Chris Scott's best side.
Menegola would finish sixth in the Cats' best and fairest count in his second year at the club, averaging 23.95 disposals, 4.95 marks and 5.86 tackles per game from his 22 appearances for a return of six Brownlow votes.
The outside midfielder would enjoy a career-best campaign in 2020, claiming a spot in the All-Australian squad and would kick two goals in Geelong's grand final defeat to Richmond that year.
Menegola is one of six Geelong players to have departed the club this off-season, with Jonathon Ceglar (retired),ย Osca Riccardiย (delisted),ย Sam Simpsonย (delisted),ย Isaac Smith (retired) and Cooper Whyte (delisted) also leaving.
