Many players go on to have successful and long careers in the AFL, but a portion of players have their careers cut short. Some are star players who just didn't get a good crack to show what they have, or succumbed to the nasty history and role that injuries play in the game.

We take a look at 10 of the most notable names who had their promising careers end prematurely.

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1. Tom Boyd

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The story of Tom Boyd is well documented, retiring from the game at just 23-years of age due to battles with mental and physical health.

Drafted by the GWS Giants at pick one in the 2013 AFL Draft, Boyd would play one season for the Giants before requesting a trade to the Western Bulldogs.

Boyd recently revealed that he considered retiring in his first year, unsure about continuing footy.

RELATED: Former Bulldog Tom Boyd opens up on his personal struggles

The key forward would sign a massive seven-year, $7 million deal with the Dogs, showing how much they valued his potential to become a major star.

In 2016, his second year as Bulldog, a right shoulder injury kept him out for a majority of the first half of the season. Boyd was due for a recall before a "violent" altercation with teammate Zaine Cordy, resulted in his indefinite suspension.

He would return in Round 17 and remain in the team, helping the Bulldogs reach their first Grand Final since 1961, and their first premiership since 1954 (second ever).

Boyd was an important part of the Dogs' finals campaign, especially in the Grand Final, where he recorded eight marks (six contested) and booted three goals.

His final goal, late in the fourth term, sealed the win, and has become one of the most famous Grand Final moments of the century.

The following two seasons, Boyd was restricted to 23 games total due to a run of injuries and a leave of absence to treat clinical depression.

In May 2019, he immediately announced his retirement, having not played since Round 18 2018, with more than two and a half seasons left on his lucrative contract.

Boyd never managed to play more than 15 games in a season due to the ongoing tolls of injury and impacts on his mental health.

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