Carlton rookie Tom Bugg announces retirement from AFL before start of 2019 season

Carlton recruit Tom Bugg has retired from AFL football effective immediately, spending less than three months with the Blues after the club gave him another opportunity at AFL level via the rookie draft at the end of last year.

Carlton recruit Tom Bugg has announced his retirement. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

Carlton recruit Tom Bugg has retired from the AFL effective immediately.

The 25-year-old has turned his back on football and the opportunity to revive his career with the Blues for a “multi-million dollar” business.

Bugg joined the Blues via the rookie draft at the end of last year after seven seasons with Melbourne and GWS.

He spent less than three months at Carlton.

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“I’ve made the decision to retire from AFL footy to pursue other passions,” Bugg told the club’s website.

“At the end of the day I thought my heart wasn’t in it anymore and I thought I’m doing the right thing by the club to move on.”

Bugg’s new life away from football involves growing his social media and influence agency Zooz Group.

Carlton recruit Tom Bugg has announced his retirement. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

“In the space of 7 (sic) months we have gone from a start up to a multimillion dollar firm,” Bugg wrote on Instagram.

“There is a longer journey ahead for the business to reach its full potential globally I am so passionate about growing this business and helping our amazing group to achieve everything they’ve ever dreamed of.”

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The Blues will now look to add a player to its rookie list under the AFL’s new supplementary rules, which allows clubs to sign players who have previously nominated for the national draft or been on an AFL list.

“The new rule has been outstanding,” Carlton football boss Brad Lloyd said.

“Tom moves on with what he does and it gives us an opportunity to look at players who are currently training with us and see them in match simulation and games shortly but also players that sit outside the football club.”

Tom Bugg revealed his post-football plans on Instagram.

Carlton has not set a timeframe on when it will announce Bugg’s replacement despite the opening JLT Series game against Essendon looming on February 28.

The pre-season supplemental selection period ends on March 15.

“Seeing players in match simulation, match practice through these series, that gives us a good body of work to make some decisions,” Lloyd said.

VFL star Michael Gibbons has been training with Carlton over the pre-season in a bid to earn a spot on the club’s list after co-captain Sam Docherty tore his anterior cruciate ligament.

Essendon (Zac Clarke), Greater Western Sydney (Shane Mumford) and Richmond (Mav Weller) are among the clubs to use the new supplementary rules to sign players for the 2019 season.

Bugg played 96 career games.