Deer Park veteran Luke Summers has bowed out of senior WRFL football on his own terms.
Summers was one of the Lions standouts in Sunday’s 114-point grand final win over Hoppers Crossing at the Whitten Oval, racking up possessions at will across the midfield, and delivering winners to the forwards on a platter.
After seven premierships, Summers has decided that it is time to re-pay his family for the sacrifices they have made during his stellar career.
“I’m 36 in November, so that’s enough for me,” he told
Star Weekly. “I’ve got to spend a bit of time with the family.
“I love footy, I love the Deer Park footy club.
“My wife tells me it’s my life; it comes first and foremost she tells me, and she’s probably right to a certain degree.
“Obviously family comes first, but football is very high up there.
“I’ve done it since I was eight years old and it’s going to be hard to leave. It’s definitely a treasure this premiership … I’ll take this to my grave.”
Summers will not be totally lost to football. Whatever is left in his tank will be spent as a reserves player next season.
“I’ll play with a few mates that I played [with]back in division 2 days who are still going around,” Summers said.
Summers has a grand final record most could only dream about. He is a perfect 7-0 when it comes to the biggest day on the calendar, having won two flags with Melton, two more with Deer Park in division 2 and three with Deer Park in division 1.
His only blemish was getting suspended before the 2013 grand final, which cost him a place in the side which kick-started this golden era for Deer Park.
“I was reported the first one, which I regret,” he said. But Summers has made up for it since, collecting a personal three-peat.
And, despite Sunday’s lop-sided scoreline, he felt relieved and emotional when the full-time siren blew on his decorated career.
“The final siren was a bit emotional, but it’s just an unbelievable feeling,” Summers said.
“Premierships aren’t easy; it’s hard, it’s physical and from minute one to 120, you’re going … the people inside the four walls, we’re all mates and we dig deep together.
“That’s why we’re successful.”
Summers is proud to have been part of a club that was “on its knees” then turned into a powerhouse.
“It’s been a long and worthy journey,” he said.
