Two Magpies Retire One Saint For Surgery

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

Collingwood's Tarkyn Lockyer and Paul Medhurst have announced their retirements after languishing in the VFL for most of the 2010 season. Lockyer came from Western Australia as did Medhurst. He debuted in 1999 after being elevated from the rookie list. He went on to play 227 games for the Magpies and finished in the top five of the club's best and fairest award five times. Lockyer overcame serious foot and knee injuries in 2003 and 2004 to play 136 consecutive games 2004-2010. He played 11 games this past season and was named as an emergency for the Preliminary Final and both Grand Finals.

Medhurst was originally drafted by Fremantle and played 99 games 2002-2006. He was traded to Collingwood in exchange for Chris Tarrant and played 69 games for the Magpies. He has kicked 274 career goals. His best season was 2008 when he was named in the All-Australian selection, finished second in the club best and fairest and led the Magpies' goalkicking list with 50 goals. He also won the ANZAC Day Medal in 2008. Despite dominating at VFL level, Medhurst played just 10 AFL games in 2010.

General manager Geoff Walsh said both players could be proud of their achievements, with Lockyer remembered as a 200 game player and Medhurst for his immense talent as a small forward who could "play tall" despite his small stature (5'8"). Walsh said that Medhurst was one of the most dangerous forwards in the game. Team captain Nick Maxwell was full of praise for his outgoing teammates. He said both had been outstanding players for the club and credited them for being a part of why the team was successful.

Source: afl.com.au

St Kilda ruckman Micheal Gardiner will have several surgeries, one on his shoulder and another on his elbow to remove floating bone chips. He will also have a third surgery which will be the most radical of all. He is set to receive stem cell injections to treat a chronic knee problem which hampered his leaping ability this past season. It is hoped the treatment will help generate the growth of new cartilage.

Source: dailytelegraph.com.au