Retirement came a game too early for allrounder James Hopes after Queensland's Sheffield Shield final dream was shattered by Western Australia on Thursday.
Hopes received a guard of honour with fellow retiree, WA quick Michael Hogan, after the Warriors thrashed the home side by an innings and six runs within three days at the Gabba.
Former Bulls skipper Hopes, 37, admitted he was emotional after Queensland were denied the victory that would have booked them a Shield final berth.
South Australia will now contest their first Shield final in 20 years against either NSW or Victoria.
But Hopes' over-riding emotion was that of frustration.
"I was (emotional) but it was tempered by the fact that we just had our arse handed to us over three days," said Hopes after ending his 108-game, 15-year first-class career.
"It was a disappointing way for the team to finish their season in which we had played some good cricket and saw the development of some young guys."
Hogan, 34, had few complaints after drawing the curtain on his seven-season stint for WA in stunning fashion.
Hogan took eight wickets for the match, including a haul of 4-58 that helped rout Queensland for 227 in their second dig on Thursday.
The ever-reliable Hopes (45), a freewheeling Chris Lynn (80 off 46 balls) and skipper Chris Hartley (34) showed resistance with the bat.
WA had earlier resumed at 8-337 in their first innings before being bowled out for 380 - a lead of 233.
Hilton Cartwright top scored for WA with 92.
Hopes believed he was leaving Queensland in good hands, citing the likes of youngsters Sam Heazlett, Matt Renshaw and emerging allrounder Jack Wildermuth as ones to watch over the coming seasons.
"I will look back and feel fortunate that I was able to play with them in the first year of their careers," said Hopes, who played 84 ODIs and 12 T20 internationals for Australia.
Asked to describe his career, Hopes said: "I had to train my ring off.
"Guys like Andy Flintoff who can genuinely bat at six and take the new ball, they are rare (allrounders).
"I strived my whole career to be in that bracket.
"I could only do it at first-class level but I am still happy with that."
Hopes aimed to take up a future Bulls coaching role.
Meanwhile, Hogan retired as WA's eighth-highest wicket-taker (221 scalps) and the greatest No.11 run-scorer in Shield history (604 at 11) in 60 matches.
He will play English county cricket for Glamorgan for the next three years.
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