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Suns stalwart calls time on AFL career: 'Right time to move onto the next chapter'

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9th November, 2022
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Injury-plagued Gold Coast defender Rory Thompson has called time on his AFL career due to persistent knee injuries.

A member of the Suns’ inaugural squad in 2011, the 31-year-old retires after 106 games across 12 seasons.

Thompson missed almost four full seasons of football but returned for Gold Coast’s memorable win against the Sydney Swans in round-eight this year.

He made his comeback following 1379 days on the sidelines, playing two more games before suffering another knee injury.

“I’ve had such a long career with the Suns and have had my fair share of injuries including some really significant ones,” Thompson said.

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“Towards the end of last year it was getting hard to back up games and keep my body moving and it just felt like the right time for me and my family to move on to the next chapter of our lives.”

Rory Thompson

Rory Thompson. (Photo by Albert Perez/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

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Thompson made his AFL debut in round 16 in 2011, and enjoyed his best season in 2013 when he played 21 games.

“He’s faced a lot of adversity with injury in his time at the Suns, but his commitment and determination to bounce back from every setback can only be admired,” Suns football performance boss Wayne Campbell said.

“Rory will continue to have a role with the club and we look forward to his involvement with the Suns going forward.”

© AAP

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