Collingwood premiership defender Nathan Murphy has called time on his AFL career after just 57 games.
The 24-year-old suffered his 10th concussion in the grand final last year, substituted out before celebrating with his teammates, and he has been wrapped in cotton wool ever since.
He was examined by the AFL’s concussion panel in December and ultimately given the green light to continue his career.
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But on the eve of the season, he was ruled out indefinitely and put on a modified training program before meeting with an independent panel of doctors over the weekend.
7NEWS reporter Mitch Cleary revealed he told teammates of his decision to retire on Tuesday morning after a meeting with a panel of experts on Saturday determined he be medically retired.
“I feel it is the right time and the right decision for me to hang up my footy boots,” Murphy said.
“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.
“To my family and friends, I couldn’t have gone through this journey without your continued love and support which I am so grateful for.
“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.
“I will forever cherish the memories and friends I’ve made at our great club.”
Just last week he shared his hope to return, but he will now hang up his boots and look to a future off the field.
The decision follows Melbourne premiership midfielder Angus Brayshaw, a family friend, who gave up his career two months ago after ongoing concussion woes.
Murphy said he underwent a brain scan after Brayshaw’s retirement was prompted by worrying results from his latest exam.
“For me as a person I’ve always been one to think about the future off the field, and so that’s always in the back of my mind,” Murphy told 7NEWS.
“The Gus thing probably did make me go and get a head scan but I think I’ll make that a regular thing now.
“I think we do that with all these other injuries but when it comes to the head for some reason I just don’t think people do it … a lot of people who experience concussions should as well.
“For me, the future’s always in the back of my mind — I’ve been a guy that’s done uni since my second year and I’ve got other things outside football.
“I’m grateful and fortunate for the position I’m in, but there’s going to be a time in my career when football is going to be done and I need to move onto those things.
“The confidence (to return to playing) is still there, but it’s just being able to adjust the technique so I can play the game longer.”
Murphy had said ensuring he had no “bumps in the mindset” was key to his future in footy.
“I just need a couple-week block where I feel really good,” he said.
“Fitness wise I’m all good, just being able to make sure I can get back to playing the way I was … it’s probably just a mindset thing.”
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