The big footy news this week has been that Melbourne’s longest serving Skipper, David Neitz has hung up his boots. Neitz had to retire after sustaining a neck injury.

Adam Baird from the Hanoi Chapter of the Swans emailed the following emotional, soppy tribute with the subject, “Can I have a minute’s silence”:

I have just received some shocking news! David Neitz has officially announced his retirement from AFL and has relinquished the captaincy of my beloved Demons. This has ended the great run of 306 games for the one club and 631 golas – the most of any Demons player and the longest serving Melbourne Captain.

The team this year is really battling and this is yet another cruel blow.

A more honest, hard working, long serving true gentleman and captain of the game you will struggle to find.

Please out of respect for the great man, can we have a minute’s silence!

Former Swans President, Daryl Taber, wrote back to say:

Sure why not? What’s another minute? The Melb crowd has been silent for at least 100 minutes each weekend anyway!