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Bradley to retire at end of AFL season

Fremantle's Kepler Bradley has announced this AFL season will be his last.

Fremantle's Kepler Bradley takes a mark.
Fremantle's Kepler Bradley (pic) has announced this AFL season will be his last. (AAP)

A debilitating knee reconstruction means Fremantle utility Kepler Bradley will retire at the end of the AFL season.

Bradley was drafted by Essendon with pick No.6 in the 2003 national draft, managing a total of 117 games spread across the next 10 seasons.

The 28-year-old joined the Dockers for the 2008 season, but ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee during round five last year.

Bradley returned to the WAFL this season but has been unable to earn a recall to Ross Lyon's side, with his body saying enough is enough.

"I'm nearly 29 now and I haven't really played in the past two years after my knee reconstruction," Bradley said.

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"I've tried to come back this year as soon as my body would let me, but I've done about five hamstrings on the way.

"Just with the pace of the game now, how fast it is, it looks like the game has gone past me.

"I played WAFL on the weekend and my body was a bit sore. That was the final nail in the coffin, that it wasn't meant to be."


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