Shannon Byrnes retires from AFL football after 11 seasons at Geelong and Melbourne

A FOOT injury has forced Melbourne forward Shannon Byrnes into retirement after 11 seasons in the AFL.

Melbourne V West Coast Eagles at the M.C.G., Shannon Byrnes goal in the first quarter

A FOOT injury has forced Melbourne forward Shannon Byrnes into retirement after 11 seasons in the game.

Surgery to repair a fractured navicular sustained during a VFL game five weeks ago had ruled Byrnes out for the remainder of the season and forced this decision.

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“You can’t pick and choose when your injuries come. Some players get them a lot earlier in their career and I’ve had a pretty good run with injuries in my time,” he told melbournefc.com.au.

“I can’t really complain, but it’s disappointing that it’s come right towards the end of my career and I wasn’t able to play out the season.

Congratulations to @ShannonBoourns for a great career! Got every thing out of his body, great role model for persistence & determination

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“Upon reflection, I’ve had a pretty good run, so it’s a little bit bittersweet, but I’ll look back on my career with a lot more fond memories than disappointments.”

The 30-year-old arrived at Melbourne as an unrestricted free agent for the 2012 season after playing 108 games with Geelong where he was a member of the 2007 and 2009 premiership sides.

Shannon Byrnes celebrates with the crowd after the 2009 grand final.

Byrnes was recruited from the Murray Bushrangers with selection 40 in the 2002 rookie draft and made his AFL debut against Sydney in Round 16, 2004.

“When I first came down to the Geelong footy club, all I wanted to do was play one game of footy,” he said.

“You have to remind yourself that the dreams you have as a kid and as an 18-year-old, and all I wanted to do was play that one game. Then you want to play 50 and then it goes on from there.

Tom Hawkins and Shannon Byrnes after the 2009.

“To think I’d still be playing the game at 30 years old, back then, would have been a bit of a dream. I’ve been lucky to play the game for as long as I have.”

Brynes is keen to pursue a career in coaching and Melbourne football manager Josh Mahony praised his role as a mentor to the club’s young list during two trying seasons.

“His upbeat personality has been important during some tough times at the club and it’s no surprise that Shannon is looking at coaching opportunities and we are working with him on how that can be developed for the remainder of this season.”

Byrnes was also a member of the 2006 and 2009 Geelong pre-season premiership teams and finished with 131 AFL games for 117 goals.

Originally published as Shannon Byrnes retires from AFL football after 11 seasons at Geelong and Melbourne