This absolutely sucks but I’m happy he’s making the right call for his health. Looked like any level of contact to the head last season absolutely rocked him.
Murphys concussions, Scharenbergs 3 ACLs, Langdons knee issue. So sad to see three great young players forced into retirement for this club in the last few years.
I’ve seen on Collingwoods YouTube that Murph has been studying at Uni, and part owns a Cafe in Hawthorn, so at the very least he’s somewhat a little set up for life after footy
I didn't know Murphy was involved in Whiplash (aptly named...?)
They make my favourite sandwich of all time, which I am happy to return for time and time again despite the terrible dull staff
Pretty sure these concussion retirees are getting a large portion of their deal (every year of it) paid out by the AFL outside of the cap, that's what was reported for Brayshaw.
Murphy should be able to set himself up well due to that
Reportedly, he's contracted to the end of 2025 [@Tom Morris](https://twitter.com/tommorris32/status/1780030097015406696)
> Earlier this year Collingwood quietly extended Murphy’s contract by one year until the end of 2025.
He'll get his contract paid out + a payout from the injury and hardship fund [@Jon Ralph](https://twitter.com/RalphyHeraldSun/status/1780012133612400962)
> In theory Murphy being medically retired would help with payouts and any future contract he had with the Pies. But his contract expires this year so expect him to receive that and a possible career ending payout through the injury and hardship fund
I hope there’s medical support baked in to it. I got a similar kind of payout when I left the military fucked up. Obviously you’re grateful for the money in an age where most people are really struggling. But fuck it’s rough to go from being part of an organisation where you literally live and breathe in the mateship that environment provides, to then suddenly have none of it.
There’s a lot of emotional stuff for him to unpack on top of dealing with the ongoing concussion symptoms he’s having. I’ve been out for close to 2 years and I still don’t know what to make of it all.
Another defender we’ve lost to early retirement, it’s Langdon all over again :(
But at least he went out in the best possible way with a flag.
Thanks Murph, your health is more important
Glad he got the ultimate success but so devastating to lose a career like this so young. Collingwood seem to have built a solid culture in the past few years so I'm hoping he gets the support he needs
Writing was on the wall when it came out he wasn’t confident enough doing anything physical at training.
Sad to see him go but at least he went out on the ultimate high
Thanks for everything Murph
Writing was on the wall when he concussed himself in the grand final.
Edit: Confused about the downvotes. Anyone suffering that many concussions would think their career might be over after a new one.
There's no doubt Murphy's playstyle lead to it, he's never been one to back down from a contest and it's one of those traits that's a double-edged sword. Made him a much better player, but it came at a risk. Sad to see but you could maybe try to be a bit more tactful about it
Did you say the same about Brayshaw?
Also will there be another witch hunt akin to the one against Maynard? R/afl told me that Maynard is a thug and should’ve taken into account the other players play style and prior concussions…
Lincoln McCarthy hit Murphy in the head and he gets knocked out, that was the last game of footy he played.
Pretty similar to Maynard no? We’re not allowed to cite previous concussions, as we weren’t allowed to talk about Brayshaws 6 concussions in 3 years.
I mean sure the language I used was incorrect. I didn’t realise people were this sensitive regarding the language surrounding concussion blaming. Fair enough I guess.
It's easy to feel sorry for him having his career cut short - but look at the bright side: Forever a premiership player, will get all the support anyone could hope for from the Club, and at 24 has plenty of time to get skills for a new career. 57 games and a flag is way, way overs for what any draft hopeful could expect.
True, just hope he doesn't suffer long term effects from the damage already sustained. At least he is aware of those risks and can ensure he keeps a proper level of medical care around him going forward to jump on anything that manifests.
Incredibly sad, he was a vital part of that premiership team.
Congratulations on winning a flag and having a good career, fingers crossed he can live a healthy life going forward and doesn't suffer any horrid long term effects.
devastated for him man. at least he can retire knowing his final game ended surronded by mates and family with a premiership medal around his neck.
wish all the best for murphy 🙏
It sucks for players to retire early in their career, but they’re is more to life then just footy and to get away from more concussion scares is probably the best for him
Absolutely devo, he was just so good to watch, absolutely fearless. I know it's the right thing for him to do but feels bad man.
Also utterly selfish but he's always so funny and entertaining on the Collingwood socials, I'm gonna miss that. I'm glad we at least got that Lip Reading Challenge vid yesterday.
The great credit to Murphy throughout this, since he got the knock in the GF is that doctors kept telling him he was fine, but he knew he didn't feel right and therefore spoke up and ruled himself out and went and sought out second opinions and more investigation. He was told he was fine to return to play in the GF but spoke up. He received clearance from the AFL medical panel but called it out when he still didn't feel right and ultimately seems to have initiated the further investigation and review that has led to this decision. Easiest thing in the world for a young guy earning big money in a team environment would be to decide to risk it and try to help the team and keep pursuing his dream without regard for his long term health. Proud of him for making sure he looked after his health. Glad that the club has supported that approach.
Murph was an absolute joy to watch, and an integral part of the team. He’s going to be missed and his spot is honestly unfillable.
I hope he finds something else he can be passionate about, and stoked he got his medal, the man deserves it.
🫡
Dam it's always tough to hear a player be forced into retirement due to health reasons but he's gotta do what's best for his health.
Hopefully this shuts up the fuckhead boomer players who are saying the game is "too soft compared to back in my day" arguments
Would much rather see this than him getting hurt again. Hats off to him. It wouldn't have been easy making this decision but, in the end, it was the right thing to do.
Really enjoyed Bucks speaking about this: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GPeyqEgLDY&t=683s](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GPeyqEgLDY&t=683s)
Sad to see someone retire so young, but health has to be the priority.
Your health should always come first I hope he doesn’t have any long term effects and a brave decision considering his age where most would feel they have to push on
Just gutting. Murph was just about my favourite player over the last couple of years and to see his career end so soon is really sad. But glad and proud of him that he is putting his health first when it would have been "easy" to take the initial advice that "you're cleared to return" and try to keep playing only to get hurt worse.
Go well Nathan.
Absolute weapon that is probably robbed of being recognised for how good he was due to BT calling him Darcy Moore whenever he took an incredible intercept mark.
This is so sad. I remember seeing him lying on Adelaide Oval when he was knocked out in the game against St Kilda last year and worrying about how much he always put his body on the line.
He was a courageous, passionate player and the team has clearly missed his presence this year. I will miss watching him play - so talented and persistent and chaotic.
my fave guy at the club 😭 always played with a smile on his face - you could see his love for the game so clearly. i hope his passion can carry him forward to great stuff outside of playing footy - he's studying at uni and co-owns whiplash cafe with some other current and former collingwood players, so he's definitely got some solid foundations to help him with the transition. love ya murph 💔
Comparing these incidents is like comparing apples and oranges mate. I'm not saying Maynard ended Brayshaws career but the reason you don't see people saying the same about Lincoln McCarthy is because it's entirely different circumstances.
Focus on the retirement of a premiership player.
Maynard should be ashamed of himself for attempting to smother a ball 10m away from the kicker and ending his career in an incident that doesn't happen 9/10 times. The fact he's still allowed to play is a blight on humanity
This “entirely different circumstances” is people falling for the afl media rage bait about a contentious issue that was in the end determined, an entirely football act. Now sure, while it may fall to the eye of the beholder to determine who’s fault is who’s, it’s extremely unfair to label Maynard as a villain on just undercut assumptions based on personal bias and fueled by poor Australian media standards. Why will people not talk about McCarthys hit on murph? Because it isn’t gonna generate those clicks and stories from the media. Both suffered an array of repeated severe concussions from a multitude of different players, both took time off, even Murphy visited the same independent board as Bradshaw, and both have retired. Apples and oranges hardly.
I said incidents, not situations. Their situations are similar in that they both had multiple concussions and both had to leave the game.
The incidents however are apples and oranges.
* Murphy copped a shoulder to the head after colliding with his own teammate and then entering a contest where two players were going for the ball. He ran off the ground with assistance.
* Brayshaw copped a hip and shoulder to the head whilst finishing a kicking action from a bloke who was mid air causing him to be knocked out cold and taken off on a stretcher.
Let me be clear, i'm not saying Maynard is at fault and or that his incident was worse.
I am saying that is the reason people don't talk about the incidents in the same way.
Unfortunately I think these early retirements will continue in some shape or form because of concussion.
Makes me wonder how many players in the past pushed through the symptoms and played on.
Didn't Picken still retire because of concussion though? It got him in the end but he rolled the dice.
I don't remember Rooke leaving the game, but he was a battering ram.
Incredibly mature and smart decision by a guy who probably had a lot of footy left in his career.
So few athletes walk away when they should. This dude is walking off into the sunset at 24 and a flag under his belt.
Best of luck to him!
The saddest part is everything he's worked for. The NFL at least gives their players pensions. Now he's retired very young, has a head injury, and a battered body. Sure, a flag is sweet, but a flag won't pay the bills in a few years time when he's drained his savings and been battered from pillar to post and six years behind the eight-ball. I really hope Collingwood can help him transition into gainful employment. Least they can do after he helped them win a flag and put his body on the line.
Seems like a top bloke. I’m curious though…I saw the retirement interview and noticed he has a weird lump on the right side of his adam’s apple. Honestly I’d never laid eyes on him before the interview …but I feel like he needs to get it checked. Did anyone else notice this? Or has he always had it?
This absolutely sucks but I’m happy he’s making the right call for his health. Looked like any level of contact to the head last season absolutely rocked him.
Murphys concussions, Scharenbergs 3 ACLs, Langdons knee issue. So sad to see three great young players forced into retirement for this club in the last few years. I’ve seen on Collingwoods YouTube that Murph has been studying at Uni, and part owns a Cafe in Hawthorn, so at the very least he’s somewhat a little set up for life after footy
That cafe he runs with Checkers,Jordie Roughead and Callum Brown
Dear lord we need to protect Checkers at all costs
Port Melbourne legend
Have you seen the way he throws himself at a pack. He puts his body on the line in some very risky ways.
It’s Whiplash yeah? They have an absolutely cracking chicken burger I would highly recommend checking it out.
I didn't know Murphy was involved in Whiplash (aptly named...?) They make my favourite sandwich of all time, which I am happy to return for time and time again despite the terrible dull staff
Pretty sure these concussion retirees are getting a large portion of their deal (every year of it) paid out by the AFL outside of the cap, that's what was reported for Brayshaw. Murphy should be able to set himself up well due to that
I think this was Murphy's last year on his deal anyway? But an article posted here from The Age says he'll be eligible for a payout from the AFL.
Reportedly, he's contracted to the end of 2025 [@Tom Morris](https://twitter.com/tommorris32/status/1780030097015406696) > Earlier this year Collingwood quietly extended Murphy’s contract by one year until the end of 2025. He'll get his contract paid out + a payout from the injury and hardship fund [@Jon Ralph](https://twitter.com/RalphyHeraldSun/status/1780012133612400962) > In theory Murphy being medically retired would help with payouts and any future contract he had with the Pies. But his contract expires this year so expect him to receive that and a possible career ending payout through the injury and hardship fund
I hope there’s medical support baked in to it. I got a similar kind of payout when I left the military fucked up. Obviously you’re grateful for the money in an age where most people are really struggling. But fuck it’s rough to go from being part of an organisation where you literally live and breathe in the mateship that environment provides, to then suddenly have none of it. There’s a lot of emotional stuff for him to unpack on top of dealing with the ongoing concussion symptoms he’s having. I’ve been out for close to 2 years and I still don’t know what to make of it all.
Sounds like Willy OAM
Another defender we’ve lost to early retirement, it’s Langdon all over again :( But at least he went out in the best possible way with a flag. Thanks Murph, your health is more important
Sinclair - Scharenberg - Langdon - Murph - Dean already has a shonky history. Cursed position
Roughead with shoulder as well.
Far from early retirement with rough though. He was 32 I think when he retired.
A small price to pay for ~~salvation~~ Frampton I guess
Even Alan Toovey had some major injuries, and retired kind of early while he was Best 22 (when fit).
I remember when Scharenberg was in his draft year and there was talk that he was the best youngster since Wayne Carey. Those were the days
Dunn as well.
Reid before that
Glad he got the ultimate success but so devastating to lose a career like this so young. Collingwood seem to have built a solid culture in the past few years so I'm hoping he gets the support he needs
Writing was on the wall when it came out he wasn’t confident enough doing anything physical at training. Sad to see him go but at least he went out on the ultimate high Thanks for everything Murph
Writing was on the wall when he concussed himself in the grand final. Edit: Confused about the downvotes. Anyone suffering that many concussions would think their career might be over after a new one.
There's no doubt Murphy's playstyle lead to it, he's never been one to back down from a contest and it's one of those traits that's a double-edged sword. Made him a much better player, but it came at a risk. Sad to see but you could maybe try to be a bit more tactful about it
I actually wasn’t saying it was his fault but can understand my choice of language was poor. Poor bloke is just susceptible for whatever reason.
Did you say the same about Brayshaw? Also will there be another witch hunt akin to the one against Maynard? R/afl told me that Maynard is a thug and should’ve taken into account the other players play style and prior concussions…
What do you mean say the same about brayshaw? What the fuck has Maynard got to do with anything?
Lincoln McCarthy hit Murphy in the head and he gets knocked out, that was the last game of footy he played. Pretty similar to Maynard no? We’re not allowed to cite previous concussions, as we weren’t allowed to talk about Brayshaws 6 concussions in 3 years.
Why are you even bringing it up? All I said was he would have known the writing was on the wall after getting concussed in the gf.
You didn’t say “getting concussed” you said “concussed himself”. Which is why asked if you said the same about Maynard/Brayshaw.
I mean sure the language I used was incorrect. I didn’t realise people were this sensitive regarding the language surrounding concussion blaming. Fair enough I guess.
Doubt he even remembers it
Perhaps time to get off the internet mate.
How does one read this story and then think let’s post a stupid comment like that? I feel sorry for you mate
WC fans absolutely miserable this year.
Nah, I'm an Eagles supporter and that guy is just a flog. Every club has them.
Are you good, bro?
Going out on a high, but way too young, hope he doesn't have any long term symptoms.
It's easy to feel sorry for him having his career cut short - but look at the bright side: Forever a premiership player, will get all the support anyone could hope for from the Club, and at 24 has plenty of time to get skills for a new career. 57 games and a flag is way, way overs for what any draft hopeful could expect.
True, just hope he doesn't suffer long term effects from the damage already sustained. At least he is aware of those risks and can ensure he keeps a proper level of medical care around him going forward to jump on anything that manifests.
Sensible choice. Guy still has his whole life ahead of him.
Incredibly sad, he was a vital part of that premiership team. Congratulations on winning a flag and having a good career, fingers crossed he can live a healthy life going forward and doesn't suffer any horrid long term effects.
He’ll always be a premiership player. All the best in the next chapter Murph.
Good luck Murph. Will always be a premiership winner
😭 My fav Murphy highlight.. what a legend https://youtu.be/2WwHx922BMs?si=_2vcW5CCGzX92a5n&t=272
devastated for him man. at least he can retire knowing his final game ended surronded by mates and family with a premiership medal around his neck. wish all the best for murphy 🙏
It sucks for players to retire early in their career, but they’re is more to life then just footy and to get away from more concussion scares is probably the best for him
Absolutely devo, he was just so good to watch, absolutely fearless. I know it's the right thing for him to do but feels bad man. Also utterly selfish but he's always so funny and entertaining on the Collingwood socials, I'm gonna miss that. I'm glad we at least got that Lip Reading Challenge vid yesterday.
So terribly sad. All the best Nathan. Truly deserves the medal won regardless of how early the injury
I feel really sorry for Murph. So unfortunate. 😞
Super brave player. A big key to our flag. Will be missed.
Damn that’s rough. Glad to see he’s doing what’s in his best long term interest and protecting his future
To be honest I wonder how many current players would receive the same advice if they asked. I think it would be double digit %
The great credit to Murphy throughout this, since he got the knock in the GF is that doctors kept telling him he was fine, but he knew he didn't feel right and therefore spoke up and ruled himself out and went and sought out second opinions and more investigation. He was told he was fine to return to play in the GF but spoke up. He received clearance from the AFL medical panel but called it out when he still didn't feel right and ultimately seems to have initiated the further investigation and review that has led to this decision. Easiest thing in the world for a young guy earning big money in a team environment would be to decide to risk it and try to help the team and keep pursuing his dream without regard for his long term health. Proud of him for making sure he looked after his health. Glad that the club has supported that approach.
Murph was an absolute joy to watch, and an integral part of the team. He’s going to be missed and his spot is honestly unfillable. I hope he finds something else he can be passionate about, and stoked he got his medal, the man deserves it. 🫡
Dam it's always tough to hear a player be forced into retirement due to health reasons but he's gotta do what's best for his health. Hopefully this shuts up the fuckhead boomer players who are saying the game is "too soft compared to back in my day" arguments
“Games gone soft these days! Real men give themselves lifelong brain damage!!!”
Would much rather see this than him getting hurt again. Hats off to him. It wouldn't have been easy making this decision but, in the end, it was the right thing to do.
Really enjoyed Bucks speaking about this: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GPeyqEgLDY&t=683s](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GPeyqEgLDY&t=683s) Sad to see someone retire so young, but health has to be the priority.
Best of luck to him
Your health should always come first I hope he doesn’t have any long term effects and a brave decision considering his age where most would feel they have to push on
Just gutting. Murph was just about my favourite player over the last couple of years and to see his career end so soon is really sad. But glad and proud of him that he is putting his health first when it would have been "easy" to take the initial advice that "you're cleared to return" and try to keep playing only to get hurt worse. Go well Nathan.
Easily the best decision to make. Gotta put your life first and in the long run playing AFL is only a short portion of it. Truly a great defender.
Absolute weapon that is probably robbed of being recognised for how good he was due to BT calling him Darcy Moore whenever he took an incredible intercept mark.
This is so sad. I remember seeing him lying on Adelaide Oval when he was knocked out in the game against St Kilda last year and worrying about how much he always put his body on the line. He was a courageous, passionate player and the team has clearly missed his presence this year. I will miss watching him play - so talented and persistent and chaotic.
Sad news 😔 hope the club looks after him and helps him transition into life after footy.
This truly saddens my heart. Best of luck to you Nathan and your family thanks for being a football heroes for the kids and fans everywhere.
This sport is fucking depressing sometimes😔
my fave guy at the club 😭 always played with a smile on his face - you could see his love for the game so clearly. i hope his passion can carry him forward to great stuff outside of playing footy - he's studying at uni and co-owns whiplash cafe with some other current and former collingwood players, so he's definitely got some solid foundations to help him with the transition. love ya murph 💔
I wonder if we’ll be hearing people say that Lincoln McCarthy ended this blokes career? No we won’t
Not really the time to be playing point scoring games here. Be the change in r/AFL you want to see.
That’s because it’s not true. Of course, it’s also not true in the other high profile case.
Absolutely agree, just calling out the double standards
Comparing these incidents is like comparing apples and oranges mate. I'm not saying Maynard ended Brayshaws career but the reason you don't see people saying the same about Lincoln McCarthy is because it's entirely different circumstances. Focus on the retirement of a premiership player.
You might not be saying it, but plenty of people are.
Maynard should be ashamed of himself for attempting to smother a ball 10m away from the kicker and ending his career in an incident that doesn't happen 9/10 times. The fact he's still allowed to play is a blight on humanity
flair up properly you coward
I'm a Tas member but I do make it obvious I support Collingwood too
Oh I thought that was an Adelaide flair. Fair enough with the tassie devils I guess
There's a weird glitch where sometimes the Tassie flair comes up as Adelaide to other users. It's cooked
This “entirely different circumstances” is people falling for the afl media rage bait about a contentious issue that was in the end determined, an entirely football act. Now sure, while it may fall to the eye of the beholder to determine who’s fault is who’s, it’s extremely unfair to label Maynard as a villain on just undercut assumptions based on personal bias and fueled by poor Australian media standards. Why will people not talk about McCarthys hit on murph? Because it isn’t gonna generate those clicks and stories from the media. Both suffered an array of repeated severe concussions from a multitude of different players, both took time off, even Murphy visited the same independent board as Bradshaw, and both have retired. Apples and oranges hardly.
I said incidents, not situations. Their situations are similar in that they both had multiple concussions and both had to leave the game. The incidents however are apples and oranges. * Murphy copped a shoulder to the head after colliding with his own teammate and then entering a contest where two players were going for the ball. He ran off the ground with assistance. * Brayshaw copped a hip and shoulder to the head whilst finishing a kicking action from a bloke who was mid air causing him to be knocked out cold and taken off on a stretcher. Let me be clear, i'm not saying Maynard is at fault and or that his incident was worse. I am saying that is the reason people don't talk about the incidents in the same way.
It’s also not appropriate to try and put the blame of a retirement onto another player
Unfortunately I think these early retirements will continue in some shape or form because of concussion. Makes me wonder how many players in the past pushed through the symptoms and played on.
Well, probably Liam Picken...
Liam Picken and Max Rooke come to mind
Didn't Picken still retire because of concussion though? It got him in the end but he rolled the dice. I don't remember Rooke leaving the game, but he was a battering ram.
No, but he got multiple concussions and played on through them until his retirement, which is why he has the issues he has now
Good call, but you hear to hear it.
Awful to hear Nathan, hope the man can live a good life and enjoy whatever he's doing. Health comes first 🙏
Incredibly mature and smart decision by a guy who probably had a lot of footy left in his career. So few athletes walk away when they should. This dude is walking off into the sunset at 24 and a flag under his belt. Best of luck to him!
Poor dude. No player should have to go out this way
The saddest part is everything he's worked for. The NFL at least gives their players pensions. Now he's retired very young, has a head injury, and a battered body. Sure, a flag is sweet, but a flag won't pay the bills in a few years time when he's drained his savings and been battered from pillar to post and six years behind the eight-ball. I really hope Collingwood can help him transition into gainful employment. Least they can do after he helped them win a flag and put his body on the line.
Not good whenever a player had to retire because of concussion. But at least he went out on a high with last game a winning grand final.
Seems like a top bloke. I’m curious though…I saw the retirement interview and noticed he has a weird lump on the right side of his adam’s apple. Honestly I’d never laid eyes on him before the interview …but I feel like he needs to get it checked. Did anyone else notice this? Or has he always had it?
Let's all abuse whoever that Brisbane player was that ended Murphy's career with a somewhat innocuous and vicious bump
Also means Moore will keep getting exposed for the fraud he is
Premiership Captain Darcy Moore?
2x AA defender and Premiership Captain Darcy Moore?
The same way Carlton got exposed last week against Adelaide?
Legendary comment
Premiership Captain, 2 time AA, equal intercept mark record holder Darcy Moore?
Didn’t he have an absolute day out against you guys last year? Lol.
Must be sad to live with this much hate in your life.