Essendon Football Club can confirm Category B rookie Luke Lavender has decided to step away from AFL football.

The 22-year-old informed his Bombers teammates of his decision on Monday morning.

Having been drafted at the end of 2017, Lavender honed his craft for the VFL Bombers throughout the 2018 season, featuring in 11 games, but was hampered by a number of injuries during the year.

The cross-code player said he was comfortable calling time on his AFL career after battling injury over the past 12 months.

“I want to thank everyone at the Bombers for the opportunity to realise my childhood dreams,” Lavender said.

“Unfortunately, my body just hasn’t been able to cope with the demands of the sport. While it’s been frustrating, I recently had post-season surgery on my shoulder and I had to be realistic about the prospects of being able to return and push for senior selection, which is ultimately why we play footy.

“I’m disappointed it didn’t work out, but I’ll always be grateful to the Bombers for giving me the chance to be an Essendon-listed player.

“I’m looking forward to focusing on new avenues outside of football, and I wish all the boys the best for the season ahead. I’ll be watching on keenly this year.”

GM Football Dan Richardson thanked the South Australian for his contribution to the club over the past season.

“After sustaining a number of injuries, which impacted Luke’s ability to compete long-term in an AFL environment, the decision was made after ongoing discussions in recent months,” Richardson said.

“Given Luke was listed as an alternate talent on our rookie list, we won’t replace the available spot on the list ahead of the 2019 season.

“We thank Luke for his contribution to the club over the past 12 months and we wish him all the best for his future endeavours.”

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