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."
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