St Kilda defender Dylan Roberton announces retirement

Popular Saint Dylan Roberton says he’s put his family and future first by calling time on his AFL career due to ongoing heart issues.

St Kilda defender Dylan Roberton said he has had to put his health first after officially retiring because of ongoing heart problems.
As the Herald Sun flagged last week, Roberton has ended his career on 129 games, opening up a spot for the Saints to take a player at the mid-season draft.

The 29-year-old, who collapsed on field in a game against Geelong in 2018, said his decision was based on medical advice.

“I’ve come to a point where I need to put my family and future first,” Roberton said.

“Football has been a huge part of my life for such a long time and I’ve never lost my passion for the game.

“But after lengthy discussions with my family and on the advice of my doctors, I’ve made the extremely hard decision to hang up the boots.”

Dylan Roberton has retired.

SAINTS TO USE MID-SEASON DRAFT TO REPLACE DEFENDER

St Kilda is eyeing a selection in the mid-season draft as defender Dylan Roberton leans closer to retirement due to his heart issues.

The rebounding backman has experienced complications with the heart problem which saw him collapse on the field in a game against Geelong in 2018.

Roberton is currently not training with the club and is working as a development coach with the Saints’ young players.

While a formal decision has not yet been made on his future, St Kilda is bracing for the likely event he pulls the pin on his 129-game career for medical reasons.

St Kilda is bracing for defender Dylan Roberton’s retirement. Picture: Michael Dodge

Roberton, 29, was hopeful some medication would enable him to continue playing at the highest level but he broke through for only one game last season.

If he does retire, it means the Saints will have as many as three vacancies on their list with Ben Paton out for the season with a serious leg break.

But the Saints aren’t rushing to add another player after making shrewd calls to snap up Mason Wood, who kicked four goals in his first game against his old side North Melbourne in a practice game, and South Australian ruckman Paul Hunter.

Both could have an impact in the Saints’ best 22 this season with star big man Rowan Marshall sidelined by a foot problem.

Wood struggled towards the end of his career at Arden St but could be rejuvenated by the fresh start and add a mobile marking target up forward.

The Saints don’t have a lot of room to move with their salary cap and are keen to keep their eyes open for a prospect in this year’s mid-season draft.

Last year’s COVID-19 crisis had a huge impact on the draft pool and recruiters are keen to see which overlooked talents blossom this year.