St Mary’s star Nick Nott to play on in 2023 after contemplating retirement

St Mary’s star Nick Nott contemplated retirement after winning an elusive GFL premiership in 2022, but co-coach Glenn Keast has confirmed the ruck will go around again in 2023.

GFL Grand Final day Senior football grand final between St Mary's and Leopold . Goal to St MaryÕs 10 Tom Lang seen celebrating with 15 Nick Nott Picture: Mark Wilson

St Mary’s co-coach Glenn Keast has confirmed his premiership ruck Nick Nott will return in 2023 after the big man contemplated retirement.

Nott won his first GFL premiership with the Saints in 2022, battling through consistent cortisone injections for a knee injury that had plagued his career.

The star ruck said in October that he would take time to decide if he was going to play on, but Keast said Nott had returned to pre-season.

“Nick took some time to decide what he wanted to do, but he’s come back and he’ll play on again,” he said.

Nott will play on in 2023. Picture: Mark Wilson

“He had a really good season last year and he’ll run around again, so we’re pretty excited about that.

“A couple of our older boys who are over the hill in terms of that GFL commitment have moved on, Ben Moloney is an example of playing closer to home in a more minor league.

“Zak Sherman is another one who is travelling this year and won’t be back, and potentially even next year as well, so that might be it for him.

“He’s only 28 now so we think he’s still got plenty to offer us if he does come back, but apart from that we’re a pretty young list.”

Nott suffered his first ACL injury in 2014, before tearing his meniscus while playing for North Ballarat in 2016 and then tearing his ACL for the second time in 2017.

After having multiple surgeries for three separate injuries, the stitching that kept his meniscus together came undone at the start of 2019 after two games for St Mary’s reserves team, wiping him out for the rest of the year.

Nott’s surgeon recommended that he should retire, but the ruck chased the elusive GFL premiership again in 2022 and was successful in his quest.

St Mary’s will have a similar core to its premiership team from 2022, but key forward Tom Lang has moved on, with former Saint Sam Dobson returning to the club to fill that void, while two-time Mathieson Medalist Harry Benson has earned a VFL list spot with Geelong.

Benson is set to make his first appearance for the Cats in the match simulation on Thursday against Box Hill and Hawthorn at GMHBA Stadium, but it is unclear how much playing time he will receive.

Originally published as St Mary’s star Nick Nott to play on in 2023 after contemplating retirement