Megan Gale’s heatfelt Instagram tribute after fiance Shaun Hampson retires from AFL
MEGAN Gale has taken to Instagram to pen a heartfelt tribute to her fiance Shaun Hampson after he announced his retirement from the AFL.
The supermodel told of the Tigers star’s battle with a chronic back condition, a medical issue that caused him to play “on & on... in agony”.
“He’ll probably be quite embarrassed that I’ve posted this,” Gale wrote.
“When he wasn’t injured, he was one of the best tap ruckmen in the AFL.
“Unfortunately, injuries for him were common, often debilitating & most of the time, pushed to one side while he played on & on & often in agony unbeknownst to a lot of people.”
MORE: Shaun Hampson announces retirement from AFL
MORE: Megan Gale and Shaun Hampson open up about joy of son’s birth
Hampson, 30, joined the Tigers at the end of 2013, and in her emotional caption, Gale said her partner had a stellar season in 2016.
She said it was devastating to see Hampson miss out on a spot in last year’s AFL Grand Final.
“2016 was his best season to date & he dominated in the ruck for @richmond_fc & 2017 was looking bright...until his back gave out on him,” she wrote.
“After enduring countless procedures to get his back right again so he could reclaim his position in the squad (I’ve lost count how many needles he’s had into his spine & his L5 disc) he fought back bloody hard & he almost got there at the end of the season, listed as an emergency for the Tigers for the 2017 AFL Grand Final.
“But it wasn’t to be.”
Gale explained she couldn’t imagine the feeling of trying to overcome the plethora of physical, emotional and mental obstacles, but despite it all, she said the strong-willed Hampson never complained.
“I’ve never seen someone persevere, persist & be so professional while battling & dealing with some serious levels of pain,” she wrote in her caption.
“And all the while managing to laugh, joke, keep his spirits up, support his teammates to the enth degree & do everything in his power to still give 100% to his club.
“And then at the end of those long, hard days, still manage to come home & give 100% to his kids & not let the strain of the day impact on his ability to be an amazing Dad & partner.”
Prior to his career with the Tigers, the Richmond ruckman played 63 matches with Carlton after he was selected in the 2006 national draft.
“Shaun worked bravely and tirelessly to give himself the best chance to overcome this painful injury,” Tigers footy boss Neil Balme said.
“We wish Shaun, Megan and their children River and Rosie all the best for the future.”
Gale revealed she and Hampson were set to tie the knot in an Instagram post last year, after she’d found a special “rock” at the beach.
“I know you’re not supposed to remove shells and rocks from the beach and take them home with you,” she wrote at the time.
“But I did find one rock that was pretty special and I just had to keep it.”
The couple have been together since 2011.