Premier League-winning football star Nathan Murphy forced to retire aged just 24 – here’s why the AFL should be VERY worried
Collingwood premiership defender Nathan Murphy has been forced into 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 these players, a recent study found that an alarming one in 10 AFL players are hiding concussions.
It’s a worrying pattern for the AFL, with the league struggling to deal with the ongoing effects of concussions and its link to brain diseases such as chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
The AFL is currently in the process of negotiating a settlement to support the numerous former players who are struggling with the significant consequences of head injuries sustained during their careers.
Peter Jess, a prominent advocate for concussion awareness in the AFL, claims the league should commit up to $20 million annually to help these affected players.
Nathan Murphy has retired from the Collingwood Magpies and the AFL amid repeated head knocks and concussion concerns
Retiring aged just 24, Murphy is the second AFL player to retire due to concussion this year, following Angus Brayshaw’s announcement in February
Murphy suffered concussion from a high hit early in last year’s grand final and has not played since, with the defender ruled out of match simulation training in February.
The Magpies said after careful consideration, with advice from 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 sitting out the first part of the season due to ongoing concussion concerns.
The star fullback suffered the 10th concussion 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 that Murphy could return to the field in December, but he 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 is able to live a rich and full life outside of footy without suffering potential brain conditions caused by concussion
Murphy is the second player this year to retire with concussion in last year’s finals series after Melbourne midfielder Angus Brayshaw called it quits in February.
“I feel it is the right time and the right decision for me to hang up my boots,” Murphy said in a statement.
‘I love my football but my priority is on 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 career and for giving me the opportunity to live out my childhood dream of playing 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 made the jumper proud and thank the many people and supporters who helped me along the way.’
A no-frills defender who played 57 games, Murphy was one of the most crucial cogs in Magpies coach Craig McRae’s system as the side quickly rose to the top ranks of the competition in 2022.
Murphy returned to the senior team in Round 10, 2022, after a frustrating run of injuries in his first few seasons.
As a central defender, Murphy often threw his head into tight contests, which played a role in the concussion that ended his career prematurely
Murphy was also knocked out during the Magpies’ Round 23 match against the Brisbane Lions
His first 11 games back in the Collingwood side were all victories as he formed 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 contribution off the field.
“On behalf of everyone at Collingwood, we thank Nathan for his contribution to our club and commend him for the maturity he has shown throughout this period,” Bolton said in a statement.
“While we will miss ‘Murph’, he will forever be part of Collingwood’s history as a premiership player in 2023.
‘On behalf of the whole 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 former players who are suing the league over how they have been put down by headbutting.