In a series of unfortunate events for the Collingwood Football Club, two of its players, Nathan Murphy and Josh Carmichael, have been compelled to retire prematurely due to ongoing concussion-related health concerns.
Nathan Murphy, a pivotal defender in Collingwood’s 2023 premiership team, announced his retirement in April 2024 at the age of 24. Throughout his career, Murphy endured multiple concussions, with the most recent occurring during the 2023 Grand Final, marking his tenth such injury. Following medical advice, Murphy made the difficult decision to retire, prioritizing his long-term health over his football career. He concluded his tenure with the Magpies having played 57 AFL games.
In July 2024, Josh Carmichael, also 24, followed a similar path. After consultations with the AFL’s medical concussion panel, Carmichael was advised to retire due to persistent concussion symptoms. Drafted by Collingwood in the 2022 mid-season draft, Carmichael managed to play eight AFL games before his career was cut short.
These consecutive retirements underscore the increasing awareness and seriousness of concussion-related issues within the AFL. Both Murphy and Carmichael have received immense support from the Collingwood community, with the club emphasizing the importance of player health and well-being above all else.
For a deeper insight into Nathan Murphy’s retirement announcement, you can watch his speech to his teammates below:
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