Sydney Swans’ Craig Bolton retires

Craig Bolton, one of the Swans most highly respected players, has been forced to retire due to a serious foot injury.

Bolton, who was co-captain of the Swans from 2008 to the end of 2010, a 2005 premiership player and dual All Australian defender (2006 and 2009), was running laps earlier this week when he rolled his ankle.

Scans revealed he had torn a tendon and the injury will require major surgery.

“It will keep me out for pretty much the whole year,’’ Bolton said. “It is not the ending I would have liked, but I think it is the right thing to do.

“I’ve spent nearly 11 months coming back from my Achilles injury and I’ve got so close. I was confident I’d be able to play in the next few weeks, so I was pretty shattered from that point of view.

“It is tough but you’ve got to force yourself to look at the bigger picture and I’ve had a wonderful career here at the Swans,’’ he said.

Bolton, 30, has played 199 career games. “It would have been nice to come back and play my 200th game in my first game back after such a long injury but that is not a huge thing for me. The experiences I’ve had and what I’ve been able to achieve far outweigh that.’’

Bolton, who grew up in Canberra and began his career with the Brisbane Lions, said he would take away many wonderful memories from his eight years at the Swans, with the pinnacle being the 2005 premiership.

“I’m just so glad to have been part of this club, it’s given me so much as a person and as a footballer,’’ he said.

“I came here from Brisbane as a fringe player and my career was at the cross roads. I never thought I’d walk away with a premiership and having helped captain this place, so it has been a huge honour,’’ Bolton said.

Sydney Swans senior coach, John Longmire, said Bolton had been a standout on and off the field.

“He has been unique in that he could play on a range of opposition forwards, from Jeff Farmer who is 175cms, to Matthew Richardson and Buddy Franklin who are power forwards standing at 197cms,’’ Longmire said.

“Not too many players can do that and have success against both types. And let’s not forget he also played on midfielders such as James Hird. Craig’s athleticism, competitiveness and ability to play on different types made him a critically important player for us.’’

Longmire also praised Bolton’s leadership at the Swans.

“To come here from Brisbane unsure of his standing and whether he’d get a game, and to end up as a key defender, dual All Australian and captain of the club has been extraordinary,’’ Longmire said.

Sydney Swans chief executive Andrew Ireland thanked Craig for his leadership and contribution to the Club.

“He has given wonderful service to the Swans in every way since he arrived more than eight years ago. He will be remembered as one of the great leaders of this Club who played a big part in re-shaping the culture,’’ Ireland said.