Demons defender Kade Kolodjashnij has announced his retirement from the game after 80 games in the AFL.
The 25-year-old was drafted to Gold Coast in 2013 with the fifth overall selection, playing 78 games for the Suns before being traded to the Demons at the end of the 2018 season.
Kolodjashnij has had an ongoing battle with concussions that has sidelined him for periods in his career.
โWe had high hopes for the role that Kade would play for us when he joined from Gold Coast and we are obviously disappointed that his career has ended with his retirement,โ Demons General Manager of Football Josh Mahoney told Melbourne Media.
โIt has been a frustrating period for the club and Kade managing his concussion.
โThis is the best decision for Kadeโs health and wellbeing and gives him the greatest opportunity to move into the next phase of his life.โ
Kolodjashnij said he was disappointed but held no regrets.
โItโs disappointing it has turned out like this,โ he said.
โI think coming into the AFL system you donโt expect to be retiring at 25 years old, but I have been fortunate enough to be at two great clubs.
โI have met some lifelong friends, and grown so much individually as a person both on the field and off the field so I am pretty content with where it is all at now.
โI have had a bit of time to think about the transition and the retirement, unfortunately concussion got the better of me over the last four years or so.
โI wouldnโt take anything back, I have learnt and grown so much and just looking forward to the next phase of my life.โ
