Adelaide Crows forward Andy Otten has announced his retirement after 12 years and 109 games in the AFL.
Otten made his debut in round 12 of the 2008 season and had an impact immediately, finishing runner-up in the 2009 AFL Rising Star award after averaging 19 disposals and playing every single match of the season.
After the excellent 2009 season, injuries plagued his career. Two ACL tears in 2010 and 2014 saw Otten miss a fair chunk of footy.
Otten made his return to AFL level in 2017 after a 960-day hiatus after countless injuries and played in the Crows' grand final team that lost to Richmond.
โThis jumper means the world to me as it resembles blood, sweat and tears, countless laughs, some amazing games, plus experiences and stories that will last a lifetime,โ Otten told the club's website.
โIt has been one hell of a ride and I say that with a smile on my face, satisfied that Iโve given allย can play in the AFL for 12 years.โ
Otten has played only three games in the AFL in 2019 though has enjoyed the mentoring role he's undertaken in the SANFL.
โThis year has been actually one of my most enjoyable years of footy, especially working with the coaches and caring and focusing on how the younger guys are developing,โ he added.
Otten stated he is committed to playing out the remainder of the year, whether that be in an AFL final series should the Crows qualify or in the SANFL.
