The Club advises members and supporters that league player Luke Webster has announced his intention to retire as a player at the end of the 2010 season.
League coach Tony Micale said Luke was an inspirational member of the Royals, having battled through three knee reconstructions and a revolutionary fourth procedure.
Luke is a quality player and a wonderful leader, said Micale. He was a key component of our 2001 premiership and despite a terrible run with injury he also contributed strongly to the flags in 2000 and 2002.
Luke has played 99 games for the Royals from 2001 to 2010 and 33 games for Fremantle between 2003 and 2007. He will line up for his 100th WAFL game this weekend.
Micale said he was proud to be associated with Luke and praised his achievements and his resilience.
He captained Western Australia at under-18 and senior level, took out the Dockers Best Clubman award in 2006 and 2008 and was one of the best players in the club's historic first final against Essendon in 2003. And he achieved all that despite four serious knee injuries, said Micale.
Luke ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament of his left knee in April 2008 while playing for East Perth.
Having previously endured three knee reconstructions, Luke underwent a procedure known as LARS (ligament augmentation and replacement surgery), which uses industrial strength polyester fibre to repair the damage.
He recovered to play again just three months later, but advised Fremantle in August 2008 that he would not be seeking a contract extension.
He said at the time that while the knee injury had kept him out of the Fremantle team, it wasn t the key reason behind his decision.
It has been a contributing factor in that I haven t been able to get out on the park but it s more that I feel that the club is going in a different direction with the young players coming through and I don t want to be in their way, Luke said in August 2008.
Along with his debut game for Fremantle in round 14 against Brisbane in 2003, Luke rates the 2001 East Perth Premiership, Fremantle s first final against Essendon and Fremantle s first preliminary final against Sydney in 2006 as his career highlights.
Luke s brother Ryan, their late father Ron and grandfather Ray all played league football for East Perth. Ron Webster was awarded life membership of the Club.I m looking forward to the remainder of this season and expect that, whatever the future holds, I will remain involved in the game, said Webster.
He paid tribute to his family and the Club for their support.
Injury aside, I've enjoyed every day of my involvement with East Perth. This Club has obviously been a big part of our family and always will be, said Luke.
I d especially like to thank my wife Michelle, my Mum, Paulyne, my brother Ryan and the Club s coaching and medical staff for the support they've shown me through my football career, he said.
Luke Webster
EAST PERTH and WAFL
Captain State 18 s 2000
WAFL League debut Rd 7 2000 v Swan Districts (played 5 league games in 2000)
WAFL League Best First Year Player 2001
East Perth 2001 Premiership Player
East Perth 2003 Outstanding Play Award (3rd Fairest & Best) despite only playing 16 games
WAFL 2003 Simpson Medal v South Australia
East Perth 2006 Courage Award
East Perth 2009 4th Fairest & Best
WAFL 2009 State Representative (Vice Captain)
WAFL 2010 State Representative (Captain)
AFL
First selection 2001 Rookie Draft to Fremantle
Elevated to senior list in 2003
Played 33 games for Fremantle 2003-2007
FFC Best Clubman award 2006, 2008
Joined Fremantle off-field staff 2008 as player development manager
