MPNFL: Mt Eliza’s Lewis Pierce retires from football due to concussion issues

Another concussion while playing for Mt Eliza in the MPNFL has forced a former St Kilda player to call time on his football career.

Lewis Pierce of the Saints (left) and Todd Goldstein of the Kangaroos contest the ruck during the Round 23 AFL match in 2018. Picture: Hamish Blair

He says he’s “bitterly disappointed” to retire from football at the age of 26.

But for Lewis Pierce, there was no other choice.

The ex-AFL Saint sustained another concussion while playing with Mt Eliza in May.

He was injured in a tackle against Sorrento, an incident he has no memory of.

Pierce missed almost the entire 2019 season with St Kilda due to concussion issues and now they’ve caused him to hang up the boots.

“I got a concussion against Sorrento and it’s left me in a position after chatting with the doctor that I had to seriously consider retiring,” he said.

“At this point I can’t see myself playing again.

“I’m going to say I’ve retired. Someone would have to do a very good job of convincing me to return.”

Lewis Pierce (right) playing for Mt Eliza against Frankston Bombers in April. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Pierce had been in superb form for the Redlegs before the round four incident.

He’d strung together virtually three best-afield performances in an impressive return to his home club after seven years at St Kilda.

“I came back to my old junior club hoping to assist in a bright season and see some real success and just enjoy my footy and have a bit of fun,’’ he said.

“But unfortunately I’ve got to take care of myself at the end of the day and I’ve got a lot of life to live.

“It is a sad situation for me but the club’s in a good spot and they’ve got some good young players.

“I don’t want to take away any attention from how well the club’s going.”

Pierce said he doesn’t remember the Sorrento head knock.

“When I came to, or got my bearings, I remember it was the (umpire’s) whistle that caught my attention and I heard like, ‘dangerous tackle’,’’ he said.

“I ran around for a bit and went, yeah, I’m no good and went off.

“So that’s unfortunately the situation.”

Lewis Pierce cools down during his Saints days. Pic: Michael Klein

Pierce was drafted by St Kilda in 2012 and played five AFL games.

He’s proud to have reached the top level.

“My career has come full circle and you want to end things on a high but I returned to where I started so that was a positive,” he said.

“Hopefully I had a positive impact on the club while I was playing and the community I’ve grown up in.

“I reached the goal that everyone’s after. A lot of memories that I’ll never forget, a lot of hard work, blood, sweat and tears.

“It’s a strange feeling looking back now because I have retired. It is a very weird feeling and I guess making that decision to let go took a couple of weeks because it is a hard thing to commit to, especially when 10 plus years of my life has been playing footy.”

Pierce said he’s disappointed he can’t be a part of Mt Eliza’s push for a premiership this season but he will be cheering the Redlegs on.

“I want them to do well,” he said.

“The exciting thing is there are some really good young players at the club and hopefully the league will start to take notice.”

Pierce said young tall Max Mournay had a big future.