Sam Docherty, the former Carlton co-captain, has opened up about his battle with cancer, multiple injuries, and the mental toll that led to his retirement from AFL. In an interview with Guardian Australia, Docherty revealed that while he expected his body to dictate his retirement, it was his mind that ultimately ended his 13-year career.
Final Season Struggles
Docherty's final year at Carlton was exhausting. He was dropped twice, the team struggled, and coach Michael Voss faced pressure. Senior club officials told him he needed to come in with a better mood, leaving him feeling disrespected and detached. Just before announcing his retirement, the Blues informed him they would not offer a new contract.
Now a year retired, Docherty does not miss the internal politicking, constant pain, or the fear of injuring himself while lifting his kids. However, he admits to missing the clear purpose and structure of elite athletic life.
Obsessive Traits and Gambling
Docherty acknowledges an obsessive streak that helped him recover from setbacks but also led to a gambling problem. 'As an athlete, they’re great traits to have at times, but they can also be incredibly unhealthy,' he said. His obsession with detail allowed him to reach high-performance levels but also caused trouble.
Personal Tragedies and Injuries
Shortly after joining Carlton from Brisbane in 2013, Docherty's father Eddie died of a heart attack at age 53. Docherty suffered three knee reconstructions, the first during training at a dog park. Reconditioning expert Bill Knowles labeled him a 'joint compromised athlete,' warning he would always need to train differently.
Cancer Battle
During the Covid-19 pandemic, Docherty discovered a lump on his testicle. It spread to his lymph nodes, lungs, and stomach, requiring four cycles of chemotherapy. Under lockdown, he had no visitors and lost significant weight. The club asked him to take a pay cut to free up salary cap space and later asked him to step down as captain.
Memorable Return
Six months after his first chemo cycle, Docherty kicked a goal in the 2022 season opener against Richmond in front of 72,000 people. 'It was just a goal, but I’d been at rock bottom,' he said. He finished second in Carlton's best and fairest that year to captain Patrick Cripps, who also won the Brownlow Medal.
Docherty reflected on his changed definition of success: 'I went into footy thinking being successful was winning best and fairest awards... and I walked away with a completely different definition – one that was more to do with me as a person, the amount of people I impacted positively.'
