Injury-plagued Brisbane youngster Jaden McGrath has left the Lions, saying he no longer has the desire to play AFL.
The 20-year-old has been released from his contract which expired at the end of the 2018 season.
In 2015, McGrath signed a two season extension with Brisbane.
Barely a year later McGrath – from Kerang in country Victoria – said he had lost his motivation after a horror injury run.
“It’s a difficult choice to make but I want to be honest with myself and with the club – and I just don’t have the desire to continue at the elite level,” said McGrath.
“Football is something I love and I want to get back to a place where I can enjoy the game again.
“I’d like to thank my family and friends for all their support, and the club for giving me an opportunity to have a crack at AFL footy.”
McGrath played the first three games of his debut 2015 AFL season before being diagnosed with a foot stress injury.
He was sidelined for the rest of the year.
McGrath still earned a contract extension last December but more injury setbacks limited him to just two second-tier NEAFL games this year.
“We really appreciate Jaden’s honesty and as a club we are committed to support him as he settles into life outside football,” Lions football general manager David Noble said.