Phil Smith has formally announced his retirement from the West Perth Football Club.  Smith attended Tuesday night’s training session to advise the players of his decision, effective immediately.

Smith has been a wonderful contributor to the club and returned at the beginning of this season after some speculation as to possible retirement at the end of the 2007 season.  He played the first 9 games of 2008 before sustaining several fractures to his jaw and a fractured wrist in his last game against Claremont in round 10.  Having had time to think it over whilst recovering from these injuries, Smith believed the time was right.

"Phil Smith is a highly regarded person at this football club and we respect his decision to retire midyear.  He can go out knowing that he has been a magnificent contributor and someone that will be sorely missed.  The way that he played the game was something that I personally admired and I am sure that there are several opposition forwards who will sleep a little bit easier knowing that Phil is no longer around to terrorize them.   He will be sorely missed and we wish him well whatever the future holds,"said club CEO Ken Torrance.