LISTEN: Gawn 'embarrassed' to be an AFL player amid repeat homophobic slurs
"This is three in a year... it's embarrassing."
Collingwood’s 2010 premiership captain Nick Maxwell has announced his retirement from the AFL following his season-ending ankle injury suffered last weekend.
The 31-year-old defender has played 208 games and was an All-Australian in 2009, leading his side to a flag the following season.
Maxwell captained the Magpies from 2007 to 2013 and played 10 games this season under new skipper Scott Pendlebury.
Maxwell entered the room for Wednesday’s media conference at the club’s headquarters at Olympic Park on crutches and was applauded by teammates.
He was flanked by coach Nathan Buckley, captain Scott Pendlebury and president Eddie McGuire.
“I just knew I had nothing left. Unfortunately my body has had enough so that’s it,” Maxwell said.
Maxwell said years of battling injuries had taken a heavy toll.
“It’s almost impossible now to carry injuries,” Maxwell said.
“Having played through a lot of injuries, I just knew I had nothing left.”
Maxwell said breaking the news to his teammates was emotionally draining.
“I almost lost it at one stage. I kept it pretty brief,” he said.
Maxwell said he was motivated in the early part of his career by those who said he’d never make it to the top level.
“Early on I did, just wanting to prove people wrong and make a career out of AFL footy,” Maxwell said.
Who’s in your ultimate team? Pick the best team and compete with other fans for daily prizes on Draftstars. For the best odds on the game try out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Think. Is this a bet you really want to place? Set a deposit limit.
"This is three in a year... it's embarrassing."
Disgraced former North Melbourne player Tarryn Thomas is once again at the centre of a police investigation, after being accused of harassing an ex-partner.…
Former Fremantle and GWS forward Cam McCarthy has passed away, aged 29. According to a report by The West Australian, he was found unresponsive…
The AFL legend wants to force a certain number of players into the defensive half of the field after behinds, and also reduce rotations.
Port Adelaide is not playing the sort of footy that brings a team any sort of success - and mixed with Ken Hinkley’s unacceptable approach, it will lead to disastrous results.
You'd have to be pretty confident in her saying yes!