Many players go on to have successful and long careers in the AFL, but a portion of players have their careers cut short. Some are star players who just didn't get a good crack to show what they have, or succumbed to the nasty history and role that injuries play in the game.
We take a look at 10 of the most notable names who had their promising careers end prematurely.
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3. Jack Fitzpatrick
Jack Fitzpatrick had to endure a lot during his time playing football. Suffering from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome as a youngster, Fitzpatrick was inconsistent early on. To add to this challenge, he was also diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at 21-years-old.
Fitzpatrick was drafted by Melbourne in 2009 at pick 50, but wouldn't make his debut until the final round of 2011. His next game after that? The final round of 2012.
He showed much improvement in 2013, playing 11 consecutive games, ranking first at the club for scoreboard impact with 15 goals.
He would be delisted in 2015, playing just eight games in two years, but was picked up by Hawthorn.
In the final pre-season game of 2016, he injured his knee, and missed the start of the season. Playing for VFL affiliate Box Hill, in his fifth game back, he was concussed and missed another two months.
Fitzpatrick would finally debut for the Hawks, once again in the final round. In this game, he would kick a match-turning goal in a one-point victory over Collingwood.
Only three more games were played by Fitzpatrick, the two finals losses in 2016 and one more in 2017, where he was once again concussed.
He retired due to concussion issues, playing just 26 games in eight seasons.
