Melbourne ruckman Tom Campbell announces sudden AFL retirement after 58-game, 14-year career
Melbourne ruckman Tom Campbell has announced his sudden retirement after 14 years in the AFL.
It comes following a neck injury suffered in January, where a collision saw him tear a ligament in it, ending his season.
The 34-year-old finishes a two-season stint at the Demons without having played a game for the club.
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Tom Campbell training with the Demons. Getty
The ruckman was drafted by the Western Bulldogs in 2012 and played 42 games at the Dogs, before moving to North Melbourne in 2019 as a delisted free agent, where he would add 12 more.
In 2022, he moved to St Kilda, where he would serve for three more seasons, adding the final four games of his AFL career. A final stint at Melbourne across 2025 and, technically, 2026 would follow as a delisted free agent once again.
Campbell had an odd career. It's not often a player lasts in the system for 14 years with such limited opportunities at the top level, effectively averaging four games per season.
However, he proved to be such a competent back-up ruckman, reserves leader and strong clubman that he couldn't help but earn contract after contract.
Campbell served as a back-up for the likes of Will Minson, Tim English, Todd Goldstein, Paddy Ryder and Max Gawn across his career.
He even captained the Western Bulldogs during a pre-season game early in his career, and played in the Bulldogs' 2016 VFL premiership side.
Tom Campbell playing for the Bulldogs in 2016. Getty
Campbell was drafted by the Dogs in the same year Toby Greene was selected by GWS. The Giants skipper has played 212 more AFL games, highlighting the oddity that was the ruckman's career.
Melbourne head of football Alan Richardson outlined just what the veteran meant to the group, summing up his longevity in the competition.
"Tom has been a great leader and role model throughout his time here, and he is the kind of player and person who brings the best out of those around him," Richardson told the club's website.
Tom Campbell training with St Kilda. Getty
"He is someone who gave everything to the football club, day in, day out. Whether it was his professionalism, the way he prepared himself, or how much he genuinely cared for the people around him, including his teammates and staff.
"On behalf of everyone at the Melbourne Football Club, we thank Tom for his contribution and wish him, his wife Emma and their family all the very best for the future."
Melbourne takes on Hawthorn at the MCG on Saturday.
