Fremantle forward Scott Gumbleton has retired from AFL ranks, but he insists his ongoing injury woes weren’t the driving force behind his decision.

Gumbleton looked set for a long AFL career after being drafted by Essendon with pick No.2 in the 2006 national draft.

But ongoing issues with his back and hamstrings restricted him to just 35 games over eight seasons.

Gumbleton hoped his switch to Fremantle at the end of last season would usher in a fresh start.

But those dreams were shattered when he tore his hamstring during a pre-season game, with the 197cm spearhead failing to notch an AFL game for the Dockers.

Gumbleton’s one-year deal at the Dockers was due to expire at the end of this season, and the 26-year-old said it was time for him to start a new chapter in his life.

“It was basically that I had eight good years playing footy and I found out that it wasn’t working for me, so I’ve decided to move on with my life and try something new,” Gumbleton said.

“But that’s all right. I’m happy with that.

“It’s disappointing that footy didn’t work out the way I wanted it to, but I can’t fault myself for having a crack.

“I gave it all I had. It just didn’t work out.”

Gumbleton becomes the second Docker to retire this season, following in the footsteps of cult figure Kepler Bradley.