Unlucky AFL star Taylor Adams forced to retire after comeback disaster
Hard-luck Sydney midfielder Taylor Adams has called time on his AFL career after a tough run with soft-tissue injuries.
Adams retired on Monday after 15 years in the sport, having played 229 games for GWS, Collingwood and the Swans.
The 32-year-old hadn't featured at AFL level this year, looking to complete his comeback from an off-season Achilles tear and later, a hamstring strain.
But in his first VFL game back, Adams could not see out the first quarter against Southport and suffered another hamstring setback.
The veteran midfielder has struggled with persistent hamstring injuries, dating back to the end of his time at Collingwood when he missed the Magpies' 2023 grand final win.
After moving to Sydney ahead of the 2024 season, Adams has been restricted to 23 games, including just four last year.
Taylor Adams (pictured with wife Ellie) has retired after his body wouldn't let him play a single game of AFL this year
The 32-year-old was only able to run out for Sydney 23 times since he joined the club in 2024
In a further cruel blow, in January, Adams was left unconscious after allegedly being assaulted at a licensed venue.
With Adams delivering the news to his teammates on Monday morning, fellow midfielder Angus Sheldrick said the decision hadn't come as a shock.
'Upsetting for him, but he's had a great career, and he's added so much to the footy club since he's got here,' Sheldrick said.
'His body just let him down in the end. Nothing that he could control, but yeah, we'll wrap our arms around him.
'Probably not a complete shock given the history he's had with his hammies this year, but still really upsetting for him – no one wants to end their career like that.'
Adams was drafted to GWS with pick No.13 in 2011 and made his debut the following season, before being traded to Collingwood at the end of 2013.
The hard-running midfielder soared to new heights with the Magpies, playing 175 games and earning an All-Australian nod and the club's best and fairest honours in 2020.
He played 19 games in his first season at the Swans, but missed out on a spot in the 2024 grand final against Brisbane under then-coach John Longmire.
The former GWS and Collingwood star has had a wretched 2026 after being left unconscious when he was allegedly assaulted at a bar in Sydney's eastern suburbs in January
Adams (pictured playing for the Magpies) tried to return through the VFL this year, but couldn't see out the first quarter before his hamstring let him down
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Adams' immediate retirement comes as the Swans prepare to welcome back star ball-winner Errol Gulden.
Gulden hasn't played since dislocating his shoulder in the club's round-one win over Brisbane and, in neat symmetry, makes his long-awaited return against the defending premiers on Thursday night.
Both the eighth-placed Lions (8-6) and second-placed Sydney (12-2) prepare for the Gabba clash after a bye weekend.
Sheldrick has been a key cog in Dean Cox's injury-hit engine room, with midfielder Justin McInerney now sidelined with a hamstring strain after a red-hot start to the season in Gulden's absence.
'A big boost. He's an absolute gun. We'll be happy to see him,' Sheldrick said of Gulden's return.
'Both of them (Gulden and McInerney), they're probably similar in a way, so it was a bit hard for the midfield group to adjust.
'All of us have tried to share the load that those boys brought, and their strengths that were missed.
'We've done an OK job at trying to fill them.'
Key defender Lewis Melican (hamstring) and Dane Rampe (calf) could also return against the Lions, with Tom McCartin progressing through concussion protocols.
Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
