After missing the majority of the 2020 season through injury, Carlton veteran Matthew Kreuzer is set to announce his retirement from AFL football.
The 31-year-old played 189 games and booted 94 goals for the Blues over 13 seasons but has missed the majority of 2020 with a foot injury suffered in round one.
Kreuzer had rejoined the Blues in their Queensland hub after previously returning to Victoria for treatment on his foot, but appeared unlikely to play again this year and is out of contract at season’s end.
With youngster Tom De Koning emerging this year and former Hawk Marc Pittonet proving an inspired recruit, the Blues have found strong ruck depth in Kreuzer’s absence.
An athletic ruckman, Kreuzer was Carlton’s prized No.1 pick in the 2007 AFL Draft, taken as a priority selection ahead of close friend and future Richmond captain Trent Cotchin.
Kreuzer was Carlton’s third consecutive No.1 pick – following Marc Murphy in 2005 and Bryce Gibbs in 2006.
Despite dealing with injuries throughout his career, Kreuzer was a popular player at Carlton and among Blues supporters due to his work rate and athleticism.
His best season came in 2017, when he finished third in Carlton’s best and fairest and was named in the 40-man All Australian squad.
Macca
Roar Rookie
" can also see he will take the marks around the ground"Yeah one he gets a bit stronger he will be a real threat aerially, he will start clunking some of the contested marks he has been getting hands to but not quite holding.
Kane
Roar Rookie
Pts would find a way to make a yabby race at the local pub all about Collingwood
Kane
Roar Rookie
Pts, imagine if Dom Sheed missed that goal in the 2018 grand final. Imagine having an extra 2 cups in your cabinet but because the club president was too arrogant to lose his darling Nathan that there's nothing more in the cabinet because of this decision. Imagine if a club changed their medical and conditioning team instead of doing the same thing over and over but then expecting a different result but then blame injuries every year.
2dogs
Roar Rookie
Charlie when fit takes the cake. As good as Kruz was
Nick
Roar Guru
Let's also not forget that Johnny Unitas haircut. Never once changed in 12 seasons of football. A haircut you could set your watch to!
2dogs
Roar Rookie
Point being if he doesn’t kick 68 goals by the end of the season he’s out of the afl :laughing: hopefully not though
Sir Luttinen
Roar Rookie
Claremont was where Albany is zoned to, been like Warren Ralph was.
2dogs
Roar Rookie
This is a Carlton story. Congratulations Mathew on a great career is enough to say.
Parkside Darren
Roar Rookie
Love the big Tractor, he gave his all for the club. There are many games where his determination and will to win was the catalyst for victory. Even this decision shows his selflessness. I also hope he stays around to coach the next generation.
Parkside Darren
Roar Rookie
That last quarter sold me on TDK Macca He stood up when it counted and his follow up contest work was Kreuzer like. I can also see he will take the marks around the ground you want from a ruckman. Lastly he has skill and agility above most people his height. His leap and tap work I was already impressed by - I just think you need more from a ruckman. I think we have a real gem.
Clay
Roar Pro
But then we could also have gone Beau Dowler, Mitch Thorp, and Cale Morton instead... I'm pretty content with what we got there. Could it have been better? Sure. Could it have been worse? Defnitely.
DTM
Roar Rookie
Great player when he was going - just a shame about the injuries. A lot of big blokes are a little soft but I think Kreuzer played through a fair bit. Surprised he got to 189 games - great effort considering.
2dogs
Roar Rookie
East Freo or Joondalup it is then
2dogs
Roar Rookie
If you’ve heard that through PTS it’s incorrect. His mail is always incorrect
DTM
Roar Rookie
I've heard Swans don't want him.
2dogs
Roar Rookie
On lower $ I’d be happy for him to find form or the potential most expected
Macca
Roar Rookie
703 games for Carlton from Murphy, Gibbs and Kreuzer.
2dogs
Roar Rookie
McGovern will be in every week next year. Not sure if it’ll be for Swan districts or East Freo though
2dogs
Roar Rookie
Mentally draining career for the poor bugger. Wasn’t always the best tap ruckman but was like having a 2nd ruck rover with his ground skills
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Such is the sliding door moments of AFL drafting. Imagine if the Blues went Pendlebury, Joel Selwood and Cotchin three years in a row instead of Murphy, Gibbs, Kreuzer? A shame to see such potential lost to injury. Pies faced a similar sliding door 2013 draft after nailing the Thomas/Pendlebury top ten draft with a miss on Freeman and Scharenberg, both hard hit by injuries. Sheed and Cripps, 2 we could have had. Doesn’t mean we win the 2018 flag with Sheed of course as that timeline changes. I know, Doc Brown told me.