Giuffreda and Poole Retire

As announced at Friday night’s Club Champion Patrick Giuffreda and Angus Poole have retired from SANFL football.

Guiffreda has been one of the most reliable defenders in the game over the past decade, matching up on the best forwards week in week out, tall or small based on whatever the team needed and at the age of 34, will hang up the boots still at the top of his game.

On his time at the Club Giuffreda said, “I would like to thank the Eagles faithful for their unwavering support throughout my career. I will certainly miss the feeling of running out onto Woodville Oval in front of an Eagles home crowd. It’s been a privilege to represent the Eagles as a player for the last 15 years and I now look forward to supporting the club from the other side of the fence.”

Debuting in Round 14 2007, Woodville South product Giuffreda has gone on to play 214 matches, captained the Club alongside Luke Thompson for five seasons and after the most recent Grand Final triumph, became one of just four players in club history alongside Thompson, Jimmy Toumpas and Jarrad Redden to win three Premierships.

On Giuffreda’s departure CEO Luke Powell said, “The contribution that Giuff has made to our Club has been enormous. He is a true Clubman who has got everything out of himself as a player. To play League Football for 15 seasons is a massive commitment and we wish Pat, Mel, Frankie, Florence and Freya all the best for the future.”

Coming off a Reserves Magarey in 2012, Angus Poole made his League debut in Round 1 of 2013 and quickly became a fan favourite for his love for the contest with his ferocious attack on the ball and the body. No one will ever forget the starring role he played alongside Jordan Foote in the 2020 Grand Final and he again played a pivotal role in the successful 2021 campaign.

On his time at the Club Poole said, “Although excited and eager to enter the next chapter of my life, it pains me to be finishing my playing career at the Eagles. It has been my home for the past decade and a place that will be forever held close to my heart. The people I have met and built relationships with through this Club are people I’ll always be grateful for. I can’t express how thankful I am for all the love and support I’ve been shown throughout my career both on and off the field by coaches, the playing group and the supporters. My playing career may have come to an end but the Eagles will always be my club and can’t wait to be standing on the hill, having a beer and watching the Eagles win three in a row.”

On Poole’s departure Coach Jade Sheedy said, “Pooley is one of those players you love to coach. He trains hard, plays hard and does it all with no fuss. Everyone knows the type of player he is and it really suits finals footy. He has played a key role over our last two finals campaigns and should be proud of what he has achieved as a player. We wish Pooley and Leah all the best for the next chapter in the lives.”

Ben Jungfer has also advised the Club he will be taking up an employment opportunity in northern Western Australia and won’t be a part of the squad in 2022. Jungfer has had a very successful stint at the Club over four seasons playing 41 matches across the grades, culminating in four premierships (2 x League and 2 x U18’s). The club wishes Ben all the best with this opportunity and looks forward to seeing Ben back at the Club in the not-too-distant future.