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Collingwood premiership defender Nathan Murphy has been forced into a premature and immediate AFL retirement to ensure he lives a ‘full and healthy life’ after suffering a series of concussions.
Murphy is the sixth AFL player to retire due to the effects of concussion in a 12-month period, joining Angus Brayshaw [Melbourne], Paddy McCartin [Sydney], Paul Seedsman [Adelaide], Marcus Adams [Brisbane] and Max Lynch [Hawthorn].
On top of those players, a recent survey found that an alarming one in 10 AFL players hide concussions.
The AFL is currently in the process of negotiating a settlement to support the numerous former players grappling with the significant impacts of head injuries sustained during their careers.
Peter Jess, a prominent advocate for concussion awareness in the AFL, argues that the league ought to allocate up to $20 million annually to assist these affected players.
Nathan Murphy has retired from the Collingwood Magpies and the AFL because of repeated head knocks and concussion concerns
Murphy retires aged just 24 and is the second AFL player to retire because of concussions this year, following Angus Brayshaw’s announcement in February
Murphy was concussed by a high hit early in last year’s grand final and hasn’t played since, with the defender ruled out of match simulation training in February.
The Magpies said following careful consideration, with the advice of the AFL’s medical concussion panel, the decision was made for Murphy to ‘medically retire’ from football.
Murphy informed Magpies teammates of his retirement in an emotional meeting on Tuesday morning after he had sat out the first part of the season due to ongoing concussion concerns.
The star backman was concussed for the 10th time of his football career in the first half of last year’s grand final, with his playing future left to the AFL’s independent concussion panel.
The panel ruled Murphy could return to the field in December, but he decided to retire after withdrawing from Collingwood training on the eve of the pre-season games in February.
Murphy, left, made the tough decision to ensure he is able to live a rich and full life outside of footy without suffering from potential brain disorders caused by concussions
Murphy is the second player this year to retire through a concussion suffered in last year’s finals series, after Melbourne midfielder Angus Brayshaw called time in February.
‘I feel it is the right time and the right decision for me to hang up my footy boots,’ Murphy said in a statement.
‘I love my football, but my priority is on my future and ensuring I live a full and healthy life.
‘I’d like to thank the club, coaches, teammates, staff and the Magpie Army for all their support throughout my playing career and for allowing me the opportunity to live out my childhood dream of playing AFL.
‘It is not lost on me how fortunate I am to have been able to experience premiership success with this group and club.
‘I hope I did the jumper proud and thank the many people and supporters who helped me along the way.’
Murphy, a no-frills defender who played 57 games, was one of the most crucial cogs in Magpies coach Craig McRae’s system as the side rapidly rose to the top ranks of the competition in 2022.
Murphy returned to the senior side in round 10, 2022, after a frustrating run of injuries in his first few seasons.
As a key defender, Murphy would often throw his head into tough contests which played a role in the concussions that ended his career prematurely
Murphy was also knocked out during the Magpie’s round 23 match against the Brisbane Lions
His first 11 games back in the Collingwood side were all wins as he began a brilliant backline partnership with Darcy Moore and Jeremy Howe.
Collingwood football boss Brendon Bolton said Murphy would be remembered at the club for his “sheer courage” and significant off-field contributions.
‘On behalf of everyone at Collingwood, we thank Nathan for his contribution to our club and commend him on the maturity he has shown throughout this period,’ Bolton said in a statement.
‘While we will miss ‘Murph’, he’ll forever be a part of Collingwood’s history as a 2023 premiership player.
‘On behalf of the entire club, we wish him all the best for this next chapter.’
His retirement comes as the AFL faces a huge class action from more than 30 ex-players who are suing the league over how they’ve been laid low by head knocks.
