NICK Dal Santo says it’s way too early to make a call on his playing future beyond this season after he was this week one of four veteran North Melbourne players told he won’t be re-contracted.
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Dal Santo, 32, holds the record for the most VFL/AFL games by a home-grown Bendigo player with 320 – 260 at St Kilda and 60 at the Kangaroos.
If he is to play on next year Dal Santo will need to find a home at a third AFL club, but speaking on The Footy Show on Thursday night during the My Room Telethon, he said it was too early to think about next season.
“It’s way too early to discuss that,” said Dal Santo, who earlier in the week on RSN Radio said he wanted to play on next year before the Roos’ announcement came on Wednesday.
Dal Santo said he was shocked when told of the decision he wouldn’t be re-contracted, along with AFL games record-holder Brent Harvey, Drew Petrie and Michael Firrito.
“You know it’s going to come at some stage; everyone has to retire in one way or another, but when you finally get told it is a bit of a shock and you go through different emotions,” Dal Santo said.
“But it’s part of the game and I’ve been around long enough to understand that, but you are at least able to reset, come to training the next day and realise there’s still some football to be played.
“I’m really looking forward to whatever the rest of the season holds.”
Dal Santo started his football career with the Mandurang Junior Football Club, made his senior debut with Sandhurst as a 16-year-old and is a former Strathfieldsaye Primary School, Flora Hill Secondary College and Bendigo Senior Secondary College student.
The three-time All-Australian was drafted by St Kilda from the Bendigo Pioneers with pick 13 in the super draft of 2001.
Dal Santo is the only home-grown Bendigo player to have played more than 300 VFL/AFL games.
He said he wouldn’t be returning to his home town to play local footy once his AFL career is over.
