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From localfooty.com.au
Reported by Paul Amy
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THE sight of Steve Brewer taking the ball at half back and giving it a mighty hoof with his left boot has delighted Port Melbourne supporters for six seasons.

Few players kicked it longer or stronger. There were days when you suspected he needed the all-clear from Tullamarine to launch his drop punts from the North Port Oval.

But Brewer has closed his worthy VFL career, heading to Greenvale in the Essendon District league.

"Their (Greenvale's) ground is 500m from the school I teach at,'' Brewer said this morning.

"They have been in contact with me for the last couple of years and I knew I'd go there at some stage, when I felt the time was right to leave the VFL. The time's right now.''

Port coach Gary Ayres said the 2011 premiership player made an important contribution to the Borough and could be proud of his achievements. He called him a "thorough professional''.

Brewer bounced around the VFL before consolidating a senior position at the Borough.

He fiddled away in the reserves at Box Hill for two seasons, gained senior opportunities at Casey Scorpions, then had a year at Williamstown.

Port was quick to recognise his kicking as a lethal yet lawful weapon and he became an integral part of Ayres's teams.

Brewer was in the VFL team of the year in 2009 and was selected to represent the league in 2010, only to pull out with a knee problem. It was just as much a regret to him as the 2008 and 2012 grand final defeats.

"Yeah, I would have loved to play for Victoria and gone out at least a dual premiership player, but I can't complain,'' he said.

"I had a scratchy beginning. Coming down from Queensland, I questioned whether I was going to play one game. I was overawed by it all. The game was quicker and everyone was so much bigger and faster than what I was used to.

"Yeah, it was a scramble for a while, but I certainly found my feet at Port.''

He finished with 129 senior and 52 reserves matches.

Port Melbourne appears to have lost another 2011 premiership player, with young Jake Dermott, the son of legendary backman "Biff'', turning his back on the VFL.

More positively, the Borough have bolstered their ruck stocks by snaring exiting Northern Knight Sam Gilmore.

The 201cm former basketballer played for Vic Metro last year and, with Oakleigh Chargers recruit Chris Prowse, will lend support to veteran big man Wayde Skipper.

Port has also locked in Chargers graduates Nick Papaleo, Jake Hammond and Tim Macmillan.