Panic attacks, new job revealed after retiring at 24

Collingwood defender Nathan Murphy, who was medically retired from the game due to ongoing concussion and head trauma issues, has confirmed he will take an off field role with the Pies.

The 24-year-old premiership winner was forced to hang up the boots after doctors confirmed he suffered excessive head trauma through his 57 AFL games.

Murphy’s final game of his short career was the 2023 grand final, where he suffered a concussion in the first quarter of their thrilling victory after an accidental collision with Brisbane’s Lincoln McCarthy.

“The club’s been amazing with that, they’ve offered me a chance to come back in,” Murphy told Nine’s Sunday Footy Show.

“We’ll work through what that looks like.”

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Murphy recognises how lucky he is to find meaningful work he can do around the people and game he loves.

“For me, it’s been less than a week and I already miss the boys. I did all this big farewell and I’ll be saying hello to them next week,” he said.