After experiencing the lowest of lows and the highest of highs, it\u2019s only fitting that the last remaining member from Tasmania\u2019s first ever WNCL game pulled up stumps after its finest ever moment on Saturday night.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Emma Thompson, who made the move to Tasmania from New South Wales over 13 years ago, called time on her career following the Tigers remarkable one-run grand final victory over South Australia.<\/p>\n
The only remaining player who debuted for the Tigers when they were known as the Tasmanian Roar, Thompson said now was the right time to enter the next phase of her life with husband Ryan and daughter Evie following her return from maternity leave<\/a> earlier this season.<\/p>\n \u201cI told the girls before the grand final that I was hanging up the spikes,\u201d Thompson said.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s time for a new chapter in our life and what an amazing way to finish up in a win like that.\u201d<\/p>\n After missing the Tigers first ever WNCL grand final win last year, Thompson said to be a part of the group this season was extra special despite being 12th player for the decider.<\/p>\n \u201cHeading into the change rooms today and being a part of that training squad for the whole season, knowing that you contributed in some way, even if it wasn\u2019t going to be on the day, is something you can\u2019t replicate,\u201d Thompson said.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve been here from the start so I\u2019ve seen it change and grow. The current organisation involved is such a different place to where we started. There is so much support behind the women\u2019s program, we feel really valued, there is a lot shared between the men\u2019s and women\u2019s program which we certainly didn\u2019t see early on. <\/p>\n \u201cAll those things create the environment that breeds the success like we\u2019ve seen over the last two years.\u201d<\/p>\n Originally published as Tasmania\u2019s longest serving player Emma Thompson retires<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n