Just two weeks before the 2021 season proper is due to commence, Saint Dylan Roberton, 29, has announced his retirement on the advice of his doctors. In 2018, Roberton collapsed during a game against Geelong, it was discovered he had a heart irregularity. He was cleared to play for 2019, but suffered another incident during the preseason and sat out all of 2019. He made it back for the opening round last season, but then the pandemic hit and he missed the rest of the year. In mid-January, he took a break from the club to consider his future.
In making the announcement, Roberton said, "I've come to a point where I need to put my family and future first. Football has been a huge part of my life for such a long time and I've never lost my passion for the game. But after lengthy discussions with my family and on the advice of my doctors, I've made the extremely hard decision to hang up the boots."
St Kilda Coach Brett Ratten said the club would continue to support Roberton, "Dylan is a much-loved and well-respected member of our club. He should be really proud of how he has dealt with everything life has thrown at him - it's a real credit to his character. Dylan has a great footy brain and he'll remain an asset to our program for the remainder of 2021."
Roberton was originally drafted by Fremantle in 2009 and played 37 games before being delisted at the end of 2012. The Saints signed him as an unrestricted free agent. The defender played 92 games for the Saints.
In 2017, he was runner up in the Saints best and fairest count and was a nominee for All-Australian.
Sources: abc.net.au, AFL Record Season Guide
Article last changed on Sunday, March 07, 2021 - 9:56 PM EST
