Matthew Kreuzer has played his last game and will announce his retirement later today.
The much-loved Carlton ruckman has called time on a career that started as the much-hyped No.1 pick in the 2007 national draft, but was never able to truly take flight due to injury.
A selfless and much-loved figure at Princes Park, the quiet big man they called “Humphrey” battled through so many of his 189 career games under duress and at less than 100 per cent.
Kreuzer, 31, had copped multiple knee injuries, ankle injuries, two serious foot injuries and was also struck down by a heart issue.
The final straw was a fractured foot suffered in this year’s Round 1 loss to Richmond that required surgery.
The 200cm ruckman was always willing to go into battle for his side without fear of what it might look like for him individually, but in recent months had come to the realisation that his body had simple had enough.
There were open and honest conversations between player and club. Kreuzer was out of contract at seasons end, but it’s understood this was a decision driven by him.
He will be remembered as a warrior for the Blues, where his relentless follow-up work at ground level became his eye-catching trademark.
Listen to Sam Edmund discuss Matthew Kreuzer's retirement with Gerard Whateley below.
Matthew Kreuzer has played his last game for Carlton and will announce his retirement today. If there’s ever been a player who always put their hand up it was this bloke. Near constant injuries meant we never saw the best of him, but he was enormously valued at Princes Park.
— Sam Edmund (@Sammy__Edmund) September 9, 2020