Kalkee’s Steve Schultz called time on a decorated career midway through the Horsham District league season, citing body soreness. 

He said it was the right time to retire. 

“I had a bit of an ordinary back. After the game against Laharum (on June 17) I couldn’t walk until Wednesday. I didn’t think it was worth it,” he said. 

“I’ve taken footy pretty seriously and put a lot of time into it (but) family and work are the main things now. 

“My daughter plays netball at Kalkee. I’ll still spend time at the club and help out where I can.” 

Schultz played the majority of his football at Kalkee, though his career has also included short stints at Warrack Eagles in the Wimmera league and with St Joseph’s and St Mary’s in the Geelong Football League. 

Schultz was named in the Victoria Country Football League State Team from 2007 to 2010 and was the 2008 Bob Templeton Medalist at the Australian Country Football Championships. 

He was also named in the 2008 and 2010 All Australian Country team and is a member of the Kalkee senior football Hall of Fame. 

He won the Horsham District league’s highest honour – the Dellar Medal – three times, from 2008 to 2010. During his two years at the Eagles, he received top Wimmera league honours including the 2011 Toohey Medal and was runner-up the following year. 

Schultz won four Horsham District league premierships and seven best-and-fairest trophies at Kalkee. 

Schultz said there were two things he loved most about his career. 

“I loved the mateship that came from being part of a team,” he said. 

“It’s great for a young kid to do. It helped me socially. I love the sport in general.” 

Schultz said his father, Kevin, took him to his first football game at Kalkee. 

He said he had kept in touch with friends he made through his entire career. 

“That’s one of the best parts – the people I have met over the years,” he said. 

“I still keep in touch with a lot of friends I made in representative sides and the guys in Geelong.” 

Family friend and legendary coach Geoff Burdett likened Schultz to the “Statue of Liberty” in a footballing sense, having the ability to use his body to beat anyone with strength and pace.