Collingwood is being lauded for an extremely generous act after it was revealed they’ll compensate medically retired defender Nathan Murphy.
The 24-year-old premiership Pie was forced to hang up the boots after doctors confirmed he has suffered excessive head trauma through his 57 games at the elite level.
Murphy’s final game of his short career was the 2023 grand final, where he suffered a concussion in the first quarter of their four-point victory after an accidental collision with Lion Lincoln McCarthy.
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After being cleared to return by the AFL’s concussion panel during pre-season, Murphy was involved in a scary incident at training, before suffering another head knock during a match simulation, ruling him out of the start of their 2024 campaign.
Now it has been revealed that the Magpies have pulled off a “remarkable financial gesture” for the youngster after the heartbreaking career call was made on Tuesday.
Collingwood will pay Murphy to the end of his contract, choosing to do so even after medical professionals ruled it was unlikely that he would ever play again.
“That retirement came with a remarkable financial gesture from the Pies, which I think will total $1 million,” Jon Ralph said on Fox Footy on Tuesday night.
“This year’s contract and next. So, as he pondered his retirement across the summer, they handed him another year on his contract.
“Most people would say, ‘What were they thinking?’ They did it because they didn’t want him to feel forced into trying to play on to shore up his financial future.”
It means the club will pay out his contract in full, even though he’ll never pull on the black and white again.
“Basically, they didn’t want him to say, ‘OK, I haven’t got enough money, if I play on maybe I’ll be able to buy a house or a property or a business as well’. They did it aware that one concussion was likely to end his career.”
Murphy spoke candidly on his career, thanking those closest to him for being supportive with the tough decision.
“I’d like to thank the club, coaches, teammates, staff and the Magpie Army for all their support throughout my playing career,” he said.
“To my family and friends, I couldn’t have gone through this journey without your continued love and support which I am so grateful for.
“It is not lost on me how fortunate I am to have been able to experience premiership success with this group and club. I hope I did the jumper proud and thank the many people and supporters who helped me along the way.
“I will forever cherish the memories and friends I’ve made at our great club.”
Murphy is the second player to be medically retired in 2024, following Melbourne premiership star Angus Brayshaw’s retirement due to similar head trauma on the eve of the season.
