Alipate Carlile has decided to call it quits after playing 167 games with Port Adelaide.
His retirement comes after a year of battling injury — including his wrist and a torn posterior cruciate ligament — and managing only two AFL games in 2016.
“It’s been a bit disappointing — the injuries — but it’s helped me transition into life after football,” Carlile told portadelaidefc.com.au.
“The injury last year was painful, but I thought I’d be able to get back from it. Unfortunately I was chasing my tail all pre-season and in the end it was a straightforward decision for me.
“Kenny and I had a real honest chat about it and we both walked out the room smiling, because we both knew it was the right decision.
“Port Adelaide gave me an opportunity back in 2005 and I’m really lucky to play my whole career at this club – to be a one-club player – have 100 games and my name on the locker, it’s all really significant to me,” Carlile said.
“It’s been a learning curve the whole way through, it’s been a great journey.
“I’ve spent a bit of time with Tommy Clurey, Jack Hombsch, Jacko in the early days when he was actually playing key back – but it’s been as much a learning experience for me as it has been for them I think.
“It’s been good watching them come through.”
