Brisbane Lions triple premiership player Nigel Lappin and Crows ruckman Rhett Biglands have both pulled the pin after persistent injuries have destroyed their careers.
Lappin’s magnificant 15 year career at Brisbane comes to an end after an achilles injury suffered in Round 4 has kept him out of action this season. The 32 year old aggravated the injury at training last week and with his contract ending at the end of the season, he made a decision to retire.
The star midfielder had been troubled by injuries since he was restricted to just 16 games in 2005 and then missed the entire 2006 season with an ankle injury. Lappin returned in 2007 to have a great year, averaging a career high 27 disposals.
Across a 279 game career Lappin bagged three premierships, four All-Australian’s and a club Best & Fairest award.
Biglands career was in jeopardy after he injured an anterior cruciate ligament twice in two seasons, both requiring knee reconstructions. The veteran was hopeful to get back but knew that his career was over with the demand to make it back just too great.
The 30 year old had played 134 games for the Crows, amazingly the same number as former Crows ruckman Shaun Rehn who’s career was also cut short by persistant knee injuries.