Lions defender calls time

Veteran Brisbane Lions defender Matt Maguire has announced his AFL retirement due to ongoing symptoms from a concussion suffered two months ago.

The 31-year-old affectionately known as “Goose” has not played since copping the heavy head knock in a second tier NEAFL game in April.

The Lions said medical staff were confident the 170-game veteran Maguire would make a full recovery but were uncertain when he would play again due to the “unpredictability of the symptoms”.

“I can’t get out there and play footy so the decision was made pretty easily for me,” Maguire said.

“I’ve been able to come to this point and be proud that I’ve been able to get the most out of myself.

“If you can get to the end of your career and say that, then you can be quite content and happy to move on to the next phase of your life with a big smile on your face.”

Maguire began his AFL career in 2002 with St Kilda, playing 99 games before suffering a badly broken leg.

He was signed by the Lions at the end of 2009, adding another 71 senior games to his resume.

Maguire played just two AFL games in 2015 after off-season ankle surgery.

“There’s not many players who can have the resilience to stay in the game, and to sign six one-year contracts in a row,” Lions coach Justin Leppitsch said.

“The next generation here can take a lot out of what you’ve given them over the last few years.”

Maguire will be honoured during halftime of Brisbane’s Saturday night Gabba clash with Adelaide.

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