Michael Virgin announces his SANFL retirement

The Tigers’ ultimate hype man Michael Virgin has called time on his SANFL career.

The spirited 29 year old leaves the club, and competition, a respected premiership player with 81 games up his sleeve, including 46 in the black and gold.

Virg made his league debut in 2014 for the Roosters and remained at Prospect until 2017, featuring in 35 games and the 2016 Reserves Premiership. After being let go in 2018, Virg was provided a second chance in the SANFL thanks to family friend and dual Glenelg premiership player Tony Symonds, head of football Paul Sandercock, and coach Mark Stone.

This move to the Bay would be a stroke of genius, as he played a key defensive role in the club’s 33-year drought-breaking premiership. For Virg, it’s been ‘an honour’ to achieve such success with the Tigers.

“I’ve been able to be a part of and witness some of the most incredible things. I’m so lucky to now have lifetime memories and friends. Thank you all so much,” Virgin said in his retirement announcement.

But there’s so much more to Virg’s legacy than this feat in 2019. His huge personality, passion on and off the field, and love for his teammates and the Bays community is second to none. He’s certainly established himself as a crowd favourite, with his positive game day energy, frenetic style of play and incredible humour standing out over the past four years.

The Virgin family also has a strong history in the SANFL, with grandfather Norman Virgin playing 13 games with North Adelaide in 1939-1941, and his late father Lee the North Adelaide President for many years.

But while his time in the SANFL is done, Virg isn’t hanging up the boots for good and is set to return to local club Phos Camden in 2023.

The club thanks Michael for his valuable contribution and wishes him all the best in his future endeavours.