Inspirational Carlton Star Sam Docherty Announces AFL Retirement

Carlton champion Sam Docherty has announced Thursday night’s game against Hawthorn will be his last.

Docherty persevered through significant challenges across a 184-game career that included a John Nicholls Medal and an All-Australian blazer in 2016, as well as three seasons serving as the Blues' co-captain alongside Patrick Cripps.

He suffered back-to-back ACL injuries that ruled him out for the entirety of both the 2018 and 2019 seasons, as well as a third that ruined his 2024 campaign, while he also overcame two bouts of testicular cancer in 2020 and 2021.

Set to turn 32 later this year, Docherty had spent a stint in the VFL earlier this season before returning to Carlton's best side where he has played in 14 of the side's 18 AFL matches.

A former first-round pick for Brisbane, Docherty played 13 games for the Lions before being traded at the end of the 2013 season. He will ultimately feature 171 times for the Blues, becoming renowned as one of the bravest and most inspiring figures in the game.

Docherty said "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”.