Carlton's Sam Docherty to retire after overcoming cancer to forge inspiring AFL career
The inspirational 31-year-old will play his 184th and final game when the Blues face Hawthorn at the MCG.
Docherty has defied major adversity in his life to become an integral part of Carlton.
He has twice overcome testicular cancer, leading him to become a member of the Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation board.
After playing 13 games for the Brisbane Lions, Docherty moved to the Blues for the 2014 season.
A John Nicholls Medallist in 2016, Docherty was named All-Australian in 2017.
"For me to get the chance to go on and play in those games, and also captain the club that I grew up supporting — I can honestly say it's a dream come true," Docherty said.
"To have built the most incredible friendships over the last 14 years, which I will take with me for the rest of my life, I am so incredibly thankful, and I appreciate everyone who has supported me through it all.
"Perspective is such a valuable thing, and that is what I am most grateful for in my career.
"When my career started, I thought a footballer had to define themselves by the accolades they achieved: while I am certainly grateful for those that have come my way, I will leave this game with so much more.
"The experiences I have had not just in my football career, but in life, have moved the goal posts for me — while there has been no shortage of challenges because of what I have been through, I have been allowed to meet so many amazing people and have had the opportunity to have an impact far greater than kicking or handballing a football ever could."
Docherty ruptured his ACL in the first game of the 2024 season, but remarkably returned for the Blues' elimination final defeat just six months later.
He had already endured a knee reconstruction earlier in his career.
"For every challenge Sam has faced, he has turned it into a triumph," Carlton coach Michael Voss said.
"I still remember clear as day the first face-to-face conversation I had with Sam at the back end of 2021: we went for a walk and he told me he was going to play in round one in a few months.
"To see him defy the odds and do that, to kick that goal against the Tigers — that typifies what a remarkable mindset he has.
"He has captained our club, won a best and fairest, All Australian and been a sounding board for so many of our younger players, and all those things only tell half the story of the Sam Docherty impact.
"What he has done and will keep doing in the community continues to be an inspiration."
AAP
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
West Australian
26 minutes ago
- West Australian
The Demons will appeal the Steven May ban that has left players confused
AFL players have already begun to 'hesitate slightly', knowing the 'margins' between a fair contest and a lengthy ban are slim as the impact of a three-match suspension handed to Melbourne defender Steven May reverberates through the game. The Demons on Thursday confirmed they would appeal the ban, adamant May's 'sole intention was to win the ball'. FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every match of every round in the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1 . Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge weighed in, saying he didn't agree with the suspension, but was adamant talk of it changing the fabric of the game was misplaced. May was suspended despite the AFL tribunal conceding his collision with Carlton's Francis Evans last Saturday night was not a bump. In the final minutes of his defence , May's legal counsel Adrian Anderson declared 'there was not much more he could do', but after more than 90 minutes of deliberation, the three-man tribunal panel determined he should have slowed down or changed his path to avoid Evans. Debate has raged since the incident, with some pundits adamant the game could no longer allow players to charge headlong towards opponents, whether the ball was in play or not. That's the grounds on which Melbourne will appeal with a hearing next week. 'We felt we presented a really strong case and Steven's sole intention was to win the ball, and we believe he provided a contest in a reasonable way given the circumstances.' Melbourne football boss, Alan Richardson said. 'After reviewing the outcome and seeking further expert legal advice this morning, we have decided to appeal the Tribunal's decision.' Evans, who lost a tooth and was left bloodied and bruised, conceded to the tribunal that he didn't think he was going to get to the ball before May, adding to the confusion over the ban. Essendon vice-captain Andy McGrath conceded the incident was a 'tricky' one for the tribunal but said over the course of his career his on-field attitude had changed, and he now asked himself questions despite the 'split second' nature of making calls. 'They are split-second decisions, there are so many in game, and the longer I play – this is my ninth season – those split-second contests have changed a lot,' he said. 'If you are second to the ball, you have a big responsibility to not make contact with your opponent's head. 'It definitely comes through your mind, whether that causes us to hesitate slightly, I am questioning that more and more in the game to protect the opposition player's head.' Beveridge said talk of the May ban setting any sort of 'precedent' was unfounded and it purely determined that the outcome of this collision was a suspension. The Demons star failed to beat a three-match ban at the Tribunal for this shot on Carlton's Francis Evans. 'One of the things that has never happened in our tribunal system is there's never really been any precedent established, so I don't think anyone should be talking about precedents and how it affects the game into the future,' he said. 'Each one on their own terms is assessed. 'Do I agree with it? Probably not. When there is eyes for the ball and for all intents and purposes the players are trying to win the ball … that's where the debate rages.' Carlton captain and Brownlow medallist Patrick Cripps said he wasn't sure what May could have done and McGrath agreed. 'It didn't look great but it's really hard to pull out of that contest at the last second,' he told SEN. 'As players, it's pretty tricky to know what penalty lies based on the act and we know that's margins between a fair play and a pretty significant sanction.' Prior to their announcement, Demons great Garry Lyon believed the club would appeal. Lyon did not agree with the AFL tribunal's argument that May 'had sufficient time with an unimpeded view of what was before him to determine what he could and should do in the likely event that he did not reach the ball either first or at the same time'. 'That's nonsense, which is why I've lost a bit of faith in this and why I think they'll appeal,' Lyon told SEN Breakfast. 'No-one could reasonably think that they weren't going to get to that football. (Evans) thought Steven May was going to get there first.'
News.com.au
26 minutes ago
- News.com.au
England's only tour game ahead of the Ashes will be against England A
England have opted against a suite of tour games to prepare for the Ashes and will instead play against themselves in Perth to prepare for November's opening Test. The only official practice match for the tourists in their quest to regain the urn will be against an England A side at Lilac Hill in a three-day red-ball match. Touring teams have long abandoned multiple matches against state teams given the packed nature of the cricket schedule. Last summer India played a single intra-squad match, behind closed doors and amid much secrecy, at the WACA. No media or outside viewers were allowed in, although the public parkland at Lilac Hill won't afford England the same privacy. There is potential for the tourists to play a two-day fixture in Canberra against the Prime Minister's XI in between the first Test and the second match at the Gabba, but that will be the extent of games outside the five-match international series. The news cames as Cricket Australia confirmed the Lions would play three fixtures on their tour of Australia will run a the same time as the Ashes, giving England a larger cohort of player in Australia at the same time. England could also choose to play some unused Test squad members if they are not selected in the XIs for the first two Tests. 'The reciprocal A series against the England Lions is important for Australian cricket giving our players the chance to perform against high calibre opposition,' CA head of cricket operations and scheduling Peter Roach said. 'We're confident this series will complement what should be a fiercely contested Ashes series and have strong benefits for both countries. 'It is a big year of Australia A cricket opportunities with the recently completed series against Sri Lanka A and tour of India in September before the Lions series.' Australian selectors will have four full rounds of Sheffield Shield cricket to get players tuned up for the Ashes, offering the chance for batters to seize an opening spot with Sam Konstas no lock to keep his spot after failing in the West Indies.
News.com.au
26 minutes ago
- News.com.au
The Demons will appeal the Steven May ban that has left players confused
AFL players have already begun to 'hesitate slightly', knowing the 'margins' between a fair contest and a lengthy ban are slim as the impact of a three-match suspension handed to Melbourne defender Steven May reverberates through the game. The Demons on Thursday confirmed they would appeal the ban, adamant May's 'sole intention was to win the ball'. FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every match of every round in the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1. Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge weighed in, saying he didn't agree with the suspension, but was adamant talk of it changing the fabric of the game was misplaced. May was suspended despite the AFL tribunal conceding his collision with Carlton's Francis Evans last Saturday night was not a bump. In the final minutes of his defence, May's legal counsel Adrian Anderson declared 'there was not much more he could do', but after more than 90 minutes of deliberation, the three-man tribunal panel determined he should have slowed down or changed his path to avoid Evans. Debate has raged since the incident, with some pundits adamant the game could no longer allow players to charge headlong towards opponents, whether the ball was in play or not. That's the grounds on which Melbourne will appeal with a hearing next week. 'We felt we presented a really strong case and Steven's sole intention was to win the ball, and we believe he provided a contest in a reasonable way given the circumstances.' Melbourne football boss, Alan Richardson said. 'After reviewing the outcome and seeking further expert legal advice this morning, we have decided to appeal the Tribunal's decision.' Evans, who lost a tooth and was left bloodied and bruised, conceded to the tribunal that he didn't think he was going to get to the ball before May, adding to the confusion over the ban. Essendon vice-captain Andy McGrath conceded the incident was a 'tricky' one for the tribunal but said over the course of his career his on-field attitude had changed, and he now asked himself questions despite the 'split second' nature of making calls. 'They are split-second decisions, there are so many in game, and the longer I play – this is my ninth season – those split-second contests have changed a lot,' he said. 'If you are second to the ball, you have a big responsibility to not make contact with your opponent's head. 'It definitely comes through your mind, whether that causes us to hesitate slightly, I am questioning that more and more in the game to protect the opposition player's head.' Beveridge said talk of the May ban setting any sort of 'precedent' was unfounded and it purely determined that the outcome of this collision was a suspension. 'One of the things that has never happened in our tribunal system is there's never really been any precedent established, so I don't think anyone should be talking about precedents and how it affects the game into the future,' he said. 'Each one on their own terms is assessed. 'Do I agree with it? Probably not. When there is eyes for the ball and for all intents and purposes the players are trying to win the ball … that's where the debate rages.' Carlton captain and Brownlow medallist Patrick Cripps said he wasn't sure what May could have done and McGrath agreed. 'It didn't look great but it's really hard to pull out of that contest at the last second,' he told SEN. 'As players, it's pretty tricky to know what penalty lies based on the act and we know that's margins between a fair play and a pretty significant sanction.' Prior to their announcement, Demons great Garry Lyon believed the club would appeal. Lyon did not agree with the AFL tribunal's argument that May 'had sufficient time with an unimpeded view of what was before him to determine what he could and should do in the likely event that he did not reach the ball either first or at the same time'. 'That's nonsense, which is why I've lost a bit of faith in this and why I think they'll appeal,' Lyon told SEN Breakfast. 'No-one could reasonably think that they weren't going to get to that football. (Evans) thought Steven May was going to get there first.'
