Collingwood Magpies forward Kayle Kirby likely to retire from AFL due to heart issue

Mick Stirling

Collingwood Magpies forward Kayle Kirby likely to retire from AFL due to heart issue image

Collingwood forward Kayle Kirby is likely to announce his retirement from AFL football soon according to his manager Scott Lucas.

Kirby collapsed in a pre-season game against North Melbourne and was diagnosed with a heart condition.

He didn’t play again in 2018.

MORE: Giants still look to draft Mumford | The Rover's latest AFL rumours and gossip

"He’s going really well, but from a football point of view it's still a discussion taking place with the relevant heart specialists and the club," Lucas told Macquarie Sports Radio on Wednesday morning.

"Football may be a challenge, but quality of life, so forth, he has full clearance there.

"I wouldn't say he'll be delisted, I would think the advice would be he's no longer able to play at the highest level because of his condition."

Kirby was drafted by the Magpies with pick 50 in the 2016 draft and played his senior debut in round 23 last year.

The strength of Collingwood’s mid-sized forwards in 2018 makes it extremely unlikely he will be kept him on the list. 

Other players still out of contract at the Pies include Jarryd Blair, Josh Daicos, Tyson Goldsack, Levi Greenwood, Jack Madgen, Sam McLarty, Brody Mihocek, Adam Oxley and Josh Smith.

 

Mick Stirling