Beloved Carlton champion Sam Docherty has announced his retirement from the AFL.

The 31-year-old will play his 184th and final game on Thursday night against Hawthorn with the Blues to pay tribute to the former captain at their next home game against the Suns.

It brings an end to a remarkable career that has seen Docherty overcome multiple cancer diagnoses and multiple knee reconstructions.

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He was twice diagnosed with testicular cancer, the second bout which spread through to his lungs and stomach.

Docherty also overcame three ACL tears throughout his career to return to the field.

While he will never taste premiership success, he leaves the game with a string of individual honours, including Carlton best and fairest in 2016, an All-Australian in 2017 and the club’s co-captain from 2019-2021.

“When I was a kid my entire family used to climb into a van and drive from Phillip Island to the MCG for Round 1 every year. For me to get the chance to go on and play in those games, and also captain the club that I grew up supporting – I can honestly say it’s a dream come true,” Docherty said.

“To have built the most incredible friendships over the last 14 years which I will take with me for the rest of my life, I am so incredibly thankful and I appreciate everyone who has supported me through it all.

“Perspective is such a valuable thing, and that is what I am most grateful for in my career. When my career started I thought a footballer had to define themselves by the accolades they achieved: while I am certainly grateful for those that have come my way, I will leave this game with so much more.

“The experiences I have had not just in my football career, but in life, have moved the goal posts for me – while there has been no shortage of challenges, because of what I have been through I have been allowed to meet so many amazing people and have had the opportunity to have an impact far greater than kicking or handballing a football ever could.

“My wife Nat night has been my rock through everything: I knew when I faced every challenge, we would be doing it together. I cannot thank her enough for her support and I can’t wait to begin the next chapter of our lives together with Ruby and Myles.”

Taken with pick No.12 in the 2011 AFL draft, Docherty spent two years at Brisbane before joining Carlton.

He quickly cemented his place in the Blues’ best team before missing two full seasons in 2018 and 2019 with successive ACL tears.

Docherty returned to the field in 2020 but was diagnosed with testicular cancer at the end of the season.

Following treatment, he remarkably returned to the field for the opening round in 2021.

But a second occurrence later in the season saw him miss the remainder of the year and step down as co-captain.

Docherty remarkably returned for the opening round of 2022 and played every game that year.

The much-loved player suffered another ACL tear in the opening round of 2024, but pulled off another remarkable return to feature in the club’s elimination final later that year.

Carlton coach Michael Voss paid tribute to Carlton champion.

“For every challenge Sam has faced, he has turned it into a triumph,” Voss said.

“I still remember clear as day the first face-to-face conversation I had with Sam at the back end of 2021: we went for a walk and he told me he was going to play in Round 1 in a few months’ time. To see him defy the odds and do that, to kick that goal against the Tigers – that typifies what a remarkable mindset he has.

“He has captained our club, won a best and fairest, All Australian and been a sounding board for so many of our younger players, and all those things only tell half the story of the Sam Docherty impact. What he has done and will keep doing in the community continues to be an inspiration.

“Our football club is forever grateful for Sam and the sacrifices he made to be able to pull on the Navy Blue – we wish him, his wife Nat and Ruby and Myles nothing but happiness for their next chapter. They know they will always be able to call Carlton home.”