Chelsea Randall retires from AFLW for 'issues related to concussion'

Adelaide Crows' decorated player Chelsea Randall has announced her retirement from the AFLW, citing concussion as a significant factor in her decision. The 35-year-old, a three-time premiership player and eight-season captain, will step away from the game after a career spanning 80 games. Randall had previously missed the 2021 Grand Final due to concussion, an incident that brought increased attention to the issue in women's sport.

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I am incredibly grateful to the Adelaide Football Club, which has supported me both on and off the field over the past 10 seasons.

The club stated that Randall's decision followed extensive consultation with medical professionals, including the club doctor and independent specialists. Randall expressed gratitude for the support from the Adelaide Football Club and the AFLW competition, calling her participation an honor. She will miss the "immense joy" of playing, competing at the highest level, and sharing the game with teammates and supporters.

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I am also so grateful to the AFLW competition as a whole; to have been part of its growth from the very beginning has been an honour and one of the great privileges of my life.

Randall's retirement comes amid growing concerns about brain injuries in Australian Rules Football. A recent ABC Four Corners report detailed dozens of players diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease. Randall's career achievements include five-time All-Australian selection and Crows club champion honors.

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I will miss the immense joy that playing gave me, I'll miss competing at the highest level, I'll miss sharing the game with my teammates and playing in front of our members and supporters.

Bree Brock, Crows executive general manager AFLW, lauded Randall as a "leader and champion" whose career exemplified "courage, resilience and elite ability." Brock noted Randall's significant impact on the growth of women's football in South Australia, where female player registrations have surged since Randall joined the Crows in 2017. Randall's influence on the game's development is considered substantial.

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Chelsea has consistently set the standard through her actions.