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Injuries cruel Gumbleton's career

Injury-plagued Fremantle forward Scott Gumbleton has announced his retirement from AFL.

The 26-year-old appeared on track early in the year to establish a spot in the Dockers line-up before tearing his troublesome right hamstring in a NAB Challenge match against the Western Bulldogs in February.

He returned from injury to string together six matches for WAFL affiliate Peel Thunder before suffering another soft-tissue leg injury that has sidelined him for the past month.

Gumbleton was also due to have a minor knee operation to finish his season.

The problems left the 2006 No.2 draft pick unable to live up to Fremantle's hopes to transform the forward into a tall target capable of supporting captain Matthew Pavlich.

He did not manage a senior game for the Dockers this season after being secured from Essendon by trading pick No.55 in last year's national draft.

Gumbleton managed just 35 AFL matches in eight seasons spread across the Bombers and Fremantle.

He denied his frequent injuries were the sole reason for his decision.

"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."