Recent news

Carlton's Ed Curnow announced he would retire when Carlton's season ends and Fremantle delisted veteran pair Travis Colyer and Nathan Wilson. Curnow, 33, was originally rookie listed by Adelaide, but languished in the SANFL for several seasons before being delisted. The Blues drafted him in 2010 and he has played 221 games through Round 23. A reliable tagger and strong ball winner.

ED CURNOW

Coach Michael Voss said, "Footy clubs are built around good people like Ed Curnow. Ed is highly regarded within these four walls, has held a special place in Carlton hearts for over a decade, and deservingly so. He is someone that gives his all every game, won't rest until he's won that contest, with a hunger and desire to finish every game as strong as he started ... He's been here through the tough times, put his body through a lot but the club will forever be a better place for having Ed Curnow as an integral part of it. Ed Curnow is a Carlton person, and the Curnows are a Carlton family. It's been a privilege to coach Ed in his final years at the Blues."

At the end of August, the Western Bulldogs delisted Mitch Hannan. Essendon delisted Alistair Lord, Rhett Montgomerie, and Cian McBride. Geelong player Sam Menegola retired. Brisbane defender Marcus Adams also retired. Hawthorn forward Tyler Brockman wants to go back to Western Australia. 

Geelong midfielder Sam Menegola retired after Round 24. He was originally drafted by Hawthorn in 2011 as a rookie but was delisted at the end of the year. The Dockers selected him as a rookie 2012 but he never debuted for them either and was delisted after three seasons. He played in the WAFL in 2015 and was eventually drafted by the Cats t the end of 2015. He played 117 games and kicked 83 goals for the Cats. His 2023 season was marred by injuries. He said, “The time I have had at Geelong has had an immeasurable impact on our lives. I have enjoyed successes, faced challenges, learnt lessons, and developed relationships that will stay with me for a long time. I have had a chance to fulfil a lifelong dream ... ".

General Manager Simon Lloyd said,

Tiger forward Jack Riewoldt played his final game in Round 23. It is also Trent Cotchin's final game. Cotchin announced his retirement ahead of Round 22.Riewoldt said he had been considering retirement for most of the season. He joked he really knew it was time to make the call during the loss to St Kilda, when in the process of taking a hanger (a mark or high catch of the ball) he was only being able to knee Saint Jack Sinclair "just above the tailbone", rather than on the shoulder or upper back. Riewoldt, 34, retires with the second most games for the Tigers to his name.

JACK RIEWOLDT

Riewoldt was the heir apparent to fellow Tasmanian and Tiger Matthew Richardson. Their careers dovetailed and it was Riewoldt's arrival which was partly responsible for Richardson's move from the forward line to the wing.

West Coast ruckman Nic Naitanui has retired. Nic, 33, was contracted through 2024 but has not played this season due to an Achilles injury. He played just eight games in 2022 due to knee injuries. In making the announcement, NIc said, "I feel like I have exhausted every avenue to work my way through my injury, but my body is sending a strong message that it is time ... I’m content in the knowledge that I have given it everything ... Being a power athlete who has relied on my ability to jump throughout my career this injury was probably going to take that away from me. I am also looking at a lengthy rehabilitation from my latest surgery and there are no guarantees of making it back to AFL level even if everything goes to plan." He said he had given plenty of thought about his future and decided retirement was the best decision. Simpson also described him as one of the all-time great ruckmen.

Coach Adam Simpson said, "Nic has been a legacy player for our football club and has been one of the most influential players of his generation ... it is the end of an era and we will certainly miss Nic. In the last couple of years when he has been limited in the amount of games he has played his impact around the group has remained significant. There have been few ruckmen in history to have a bigger impact on the game and he will always hold a special place in the history of the club." He was also a marketing powerhouse for the club as well as a multicultural ambassador."

A quirk of the English language is that the collective noun for crows is "a murder". The Adelaide Crows didn't murder the West Coast Eagles, but they did their best to put a damper on the Eagles' farewell celebrations for retiring former captain Shannon Hurn and current captain Luke Shuey, as well as injured star ruckman Nic Naitanui. A quirk in the AFL regulations cost the Crows a position in this year's final series, when a video review of a goal umpire error at the end of last week's one point loss against Sydney, was not applied. (The umpire incorrectly judged a Crow's shot on goal as a behind [worth one point], instead of a goal [worth six points]). The Crows could be excused for feeling deflated and disinterested in the game against the Eagles. They had nothing to gain, apart from perhaps proving a point that they deserved to be finalists.  Alternatively, the Eagles had every reason to farewell their three retiring stalwarts with a win. A win for the Eagles was not an impossible dream. The previous week they had defeated the Western Bulldogs, in Melbourne, which ultimately led to the Bulldogs missing the finals. The stage was set for an intriguing contest.

Bomber fan favorite Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti announced his retirement. Round 24 will be his farewell game. He retired in 2021 due to injury and weight issues but came out of retirement for the 2023 season. He managed just nine games this year. He will finish on 133 games. Through Round 23, he has kicked 157 goals. Essendon also informed tall forward/defender James Stewart he would be delisted.

Coach Brad Scott said, "He did joke that he'd just replay the vision from last year. He's come to a decision and we've been talking for a long period ... about his future and he's decided that he will retire ... Friday night ... will be an unbelievable opportunity for all Essendon people to ... celebrate what's been an incredible career. I said to the playing group that of all the great champions who have come through the Essendon Football Club, it's actually hard to think of something who has made such an impression on our supporter base and on our club on so many different levels. It's a celebration for 'Walla'." The turnaround from where he was to where he is now has been incredible but by his own admission next year is just a bridge too far for him, both physically and mentally. "

Ahead of Round 24, four more players announced their retirements. Tom Jonas, Tom Hickey, Josh Bruce, and Jonathon Ceglar all indicated that their AFL careers were ending.

Port Adelaide captain Tom Jonas will retire at the end of the season. He has been in and out of the team this season. Jonas, 32, said in a club statement, “It’s been a fair roller coaster but for me there have been so many more ups than downs. You reflect on moments that maybe at the time were tough and challenging, exhausting or sad, but ultimately, they’re what makes you appreciate the good times and they’re what make you galvanize relationships and friendships with everyone that you spend time with along the way. The good thing about this for me is that the final chapter hasn’t been written ... For me it was about removing any distraction from the team with what we’ve got to look forward to in the month ahead (i.e., finals) ... ".

Coach Ken Hinkley, who has coached Jonas in 11 of his 13 seasons, said, “Tom has always given his all, whether that is on the field or off it ... He’s had to create his own path right from the start with enormous challenges along the way. While this season he has not always been first choice at selection, the way he has handled himself is the perfect example of his team-first attitude ... ".

Just ahead of Round 23, GWS forward Daniel Lloyd and defender Phil Davis announced their retirements. Lloyd, 31, will see out the season. Lloyd was on a NSW scholarship with the Western Bulldogs but gave it up to return to Killamey in Queensland. He was working as a carpenter and playing for a local club in the Black Diamond League when he was spotted by fellow Queenslander and former Bomber Mark McVeigh. Lloyd, 23 at the time, tried out for the Giants and was signed ahead of the 2016 season. Through Round 23, he has 98 games to his name.

In making the announcement, Lloyd said, “I’ve known for quite some time now ... It’s the right time ... I’m so grateful for what this club has given me. It’s provided me with an environment to not only become a better footballer but more importantly, to become a better person, a better husband and father. It’s given me skills and values that will no doubt help me in the future, relationships that will last a lifetime, and I think what I’m most grateful for are the memories - The ones I’ve created with all of you here and the ones I’ve been able to share with my but wife, kids and family ... My teammates – I'm going to miss you the most ... The bonds and friendships I’ve made with you all will be what I cherish the most ...". He went on to say he never wanted any accolades or credit but rather just be a selfless player his teammates could trust and one who always put the team first.