Former teammates Kreuzer, Gibbs announce AFL retirement
Carlton ruckman Matthew Kreuzer has retired from football, effective immediately, while his former teammate, Adelaide's Bryce Gibbs, will play a farewell game against his old club after telling teammates on Thursday morning he had decided to retire.
Kreuzer, 31, was out of contract at the end of 2020 while Gibbs, who had one year to serve on a four-year deal with the Crows, has settled with the club to finish up this season.
Former teammates Bryce Gibbs and Matthew Kreuzer have announced their AFL retirements.Credit:Pat Scala
The 2007 No.1 draft pick fractured his foot in round one, his only game this season which brought his career total to 189 matches, while Gibbs has battled to win a spot in the Crows' team under new coach Matthew Nicks.
Kreuzer played 56 consecutive games from his debut but ruptured his ACL mid-way through 2010.
That was the start of an injury interrupted career, although he only missed one game in his most consistent season, 2017.
He played in two finals, both elimination finals (2009 and 2013), winning one and losing one. He missed the 2013 semi-final loss through injury.
An elevated heart rate forced him to end his season early in 2018. He first suffered the issue in round 17 of that season.
Marc Pittonet and Tom De Koning have held Carlton's ruck roles in Kreuzer's 2020 absence.
Gibbs will hold a press conference with the Crows on Thursday afternoon. Like Kreuzer he was a No.1 draft pick, joining Carlton at the 2006 national draft, and became a vital player at the Blues, winning the 2014 best and fairest and playing 231 games.
He decided to return to South Australia at the end of 2016 but the Blues would not agree to a deal and he had to wait until 2017 to make the move.
His presence was missed in 2017 when the Crows made the grand final and although he had a good season in 2018 with Adelaide he battled to keep his spot in the past two seasons.
“The Carlton Football Club gave me the opportunity to fulfil a boyhood dream and I cannot thank them enough,” Gibbs said in a statement.
“It was home for 11 years and the club shaped me into the person I am today, and I’ll be forever grateful for everything they have done for me.
“I have given my all in 14 seasons at the top level and I’m looking forward to playing against some of my lifelong friends one final time.
“I would have loved to have played more footy for the Crows and it’s an incredible environment here, and I’ve really enjoyed helping and trying to positively influence the younger blokes."