No fairytale ending for West

"FOOTBALL clubs aren't about individuals. Individuals make up football clubs, but we can only achieve with the help of the other guys, and the coach, and a lot of other people that are involved."

As selfless as ever, Scott West on Tuesday explained his football philosophy and why he wasn't bitter about being told his career at the Western Bulldogs was over.

Sad. A bit angry for a while. A few tears. Check all of the above. But overall, an eye on the bigger picture and an acceptance of reality, while leaving the door open to see if any other club would be interested for 2009.

The 33-year-old, who played 324 games for his beloved Bulldogs after making his debut in 1993, told a media conference attended by his teammates that he hadn't managed a lot of shut-eye in the previous 48 hours, with a combination of Mad Monday, Adam Cooney's Brownlow win and his departure from the club all contributing.

"I didn't sleep a lot last night – as the night wore on it sank in. Everyone will go through the emotions – all the guys in this room, their careers will end at some stage, and you just go through those emotions because you just love playing, and this is what I've done since I was six years old.

"And the realisation that something that's been such a big part of my life is over ... it probably still hasn't really sunk in.

"There's a bit of a change in my life since yesterday at about 3.30 – it was a very disappointing day yesterday, to be no longer playing AFL football at this football club, and it's obviously a club that's meant a lot to me over a long period of time.

"I walked in here as a 15-year-old and played under-19s under Neil Clarke, God bless him, who got me off to a start at this football club, and I've thoroughly enjoyed my time at the Whitten Oval for many years.

"But believe it or not, I was pretty happy to realise that the sun did come up this morning, and life goes on."

A knee stress fracture kept West out of the majority of the season, but he claimed that the injury wasn't the main reason he was told he wasn't going on.

"Too old ... did you get that smile?" he asked with a laugh.

"I don't think the knee's the issue now – I don't think the decision was based on that.

"But it's not to be, and I'd probably rather reflect on what this club means to me, and obviously the playing group and everyone that I've met during my time here."

West admitted to shedding some tears, but acknowledged a fair role model for the waterworks.

"One or two – it was pretty emotional.

"But that's all right – I read that Jonathan Brown cried this morning too, so if it's all right for him, it's all right for everyone else, I reckon.

"We all love fairytale endings – run out for your last game, and get chaired off and thank the crowd.

"But fairytales often don't come true."