He's been reconstructed, deconstructed, and then re-reconstructed.
But now West Coast veteran Beau Waters says his right shoulder can no longer stand up to the rigours of playing AFL football.
Waters finally announced his retirement on Thursday following a frustrating career in which the 28-year-old was limited to just 120 games over his 11-year career.
He suffered groin and elbow injuries earlier in his career but it was his shoulder that finally did him in.
Waters appeared destined to succeed Darren Glass as West Coast skipper after earning All-Australian honours in 2012.
But a regulation bump to his right shoulder early in 2013 proved to be the beginning of the end for the South Australian.
A subsequent shoulder reconstruction was all going to plan until an infection hit the area, forcing surgeons to prematurely take out the pins and screws holding the joint in place.
A deconstruction and reconstruction was to follow, but his shoulder would never be the same again - with an innocuous hit to his shoulder at training last week convincing him it was the right time to retire.
"I just went to grab a ball and got hit in a certain direction that jeopardised the integrity of the shoulder," Waters said on Thursday while flanked by teammates, coaches, family, and friends.
"From then on, it got progressively worse to the point where I was struggling to get through skills sessions.
"The rest of my body feels great. Apart from my shoulder, I'm feeling good.
"I'm probably not going to take up arm wrestling though."
Waters doesn't resent his injuries, believing the setbacks made him the man he is today.
"I put a few kids through college via my surgeries," Waters joked.
"I'm still beeping through airports.
"And the other day in the electrical storm I was a bit worried about walking outside. I'm like a lightning beacon."
Waters doesn't want people to mourn the end of his AFL career.
"I haven't passed away, I've just moved industries," he said.
Waters' career highlight came in 2006 when, at just 20 years of age, he tasted premiership success with West Coast.
He still hasn't watched a replay of that match, but it is on his to do list now that he is retired.
The Eagles boasted the competition's best midfield at the time, but off-field issues meant the player group never reached its potential.
"There was a sense of arrogance that we were going to do it again, and do it again, and do it again. And we didn't," Waters said of the 2006 flag.
"So I say to any current day players in our side or other sides, grab your opportunity, because you're a long time retired and you don't want any regrets."
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