FORMER Wangaratta Rovers defender Alipate Carlile has retired from the AFL.
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Injuries forced the Port Adelaide big man to call time on his career after 167 matches with the Power.
Carlile was pick No.44 in the 2005 draft and made his debut against St Kilda the following season.
He went on to become one of the most reliable defenders in the competition although the former Murray Bushranger joked on Wednesday he was “a sloth chasing around cheetahs my whole career”.
Wrist and knee injuries restricted Carlile to just two AFL matches, and three in the SANFL, this season.
The 29-year-old, who is a life member of the Power, said the time was right to hang up the boots.
“Port Adelaide gave me an opportunity back in 2005 and I’m really lucky to play my whole career at this club – to be a one-club player – have 100 games and my name on the locker, it’s all really significant to me,” Carlile said.
“It’s been a bit disappointing – the injuries – but it’s helped me transition into life after football.
“(Power coach Ken Hinkley) and I had a real honest chat about it and we both walked out the room smiling, because we both knew it was the right decision.”
A return to the Ovens and Murray is not believed to be on Carlile’s radar.
Hinkley paid tribute to the man universally known as “Bobby”.
“‘Bobby’ is one of those characters who you love having around your footy club, he’s always got a smile on his face, but he works just as hard to get the most out of himself,” Hinkley said.