Collingwood premiership defender Nathan Murphy was forced to prematurely and immediately retire from the AFL to ensure 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]Mark Adams [Brisbane] and Max Lynch [Hawthorn].
In addition to those players, a recent survey found that, alarmingly, one in 10 AFL players are hiding concussions.
It is a worrying pattern for the AFL as the league struggles to manage the ongoing impacts of concussion and its connection to brain disorders such as chronic traumatic encephalopathy. [CTE].
Murphy suffered a concussion from a high hit early in last year’s grand final and has not played since, with the defender being ruled out of match simulation training in February.
Nathan Murphy has retired from the Collingwood Magpies and the AFL due to repeated head knocks and concussion concerns.
Murphy is retiring at just 24 and is the second AFL player to retire due to concussion this year, following Angus Brayshaw’s announcement in February.
The Magpies said after careful consideration, with advice from the AFL’s concussion medical panel, the decision was made for Murphy to “medically retire” from football.
Murphy informed his Magpies teammates of his retirement in an emotional meeting on Tuesday morning after sitting out the early part of the season due to concussion concerns.
The star full-back suffered concussion for the tenth time in his football career in the first half of last year’s grand final, with his playing future left in the hands of the AFL’s independent concussion panel.
The panel ruled that Murphy could return to the field in December, but decided to withdraw after withdrawing from Collingwood training on the eve of pre-season games in February.
Murphy, left, made the difficult decision to ensure he could live a rich and fulfilling life outside of football without suffering potential brain disorders caused by concussions.
Murphy is the second player this year to withdraw due to a concussion suffered in last year’s finals series, after Melbourne midfielder Angus Brayshaw called time out in February.
“I feel like it’s the right time and the right decision to hang up my football boots,” Murphy said in a statement.
‘I love my football, but my priority is my future and making sure I live a full and healthy life.
“I would 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 realize my childhood dream of playing in the AFL.
“It is not lost on me how lucky I am to have been able to experience premiership success with this group and club.
“I hope I was proud of the jump and thank the many people and supporters who helped me along the way.”
A straightforward defender who played 57 games, Murphy was one of the most crucial cogs in Magpies coach Craig McRae’s system as the team quickly rose to the top of the competition in 2022.
Murphy returned to the senior squad in the 10th round of 2022, after a frustrating run of injuries in his first few seasons.
As a key defender, Murphy often threw his head in difficult contests that influenced the concussions that prematurely ended his career.
Murphy was also knocked out during Magpie’s round 23 match against the Brisbane Lions.
His first 11 games in the Collingwood team were all victories as he began a brilliant backline partnership with Darcy Moore and Jeremy Howe.
Collingwood head of football Brendon Bolton said Murphy would be remembered at the club for his “sheer courage” and significant contributions off the field.
“On behalf of everyone at Collingwood, we thank Nathan for his contribution to our club and congratulate him on the maturity he has shown during this period,” Bolton said in a statement.
“While ‘Murph’ will be missed, he will always be part of Collingwood’s history as a marquee player of 2023.”
“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 lawsuit from more than 30 former players who are suing the league over how they were hit in the head.