Farren Ray Biography

Farren ray has announced his retirement from AFL football after 13 seasons at three different clubs.

Ray, 30, managed just four games with North Melbourne in his only year at the club after being picked up in the rookie draft.

His season was marred by a serious hamstring injury and a concussion and he realised prior to the end of the season that 2016 would be his last.

"I sat down with 'Scotty' (Brad Scott) about three weeks ago and told him that I would be finishing up at the end of the year," Ray said.

"Although my time at North was brief, I cannot thank the club enough for the opportunity it gave me to extend my career.

"The way things panned out wasn't ideal and I would have liked to have played some more footy, but that's the way it all unfolded and I am just glad to have had the opportunity."

Delisted St Kilda midfielder Farren Ray hopes the cut in interchange rotations will give him a chance to continue his career at a third club.

"Rotations next year go from 120 to 90 and running has always been a strength of mine," Ray said.

"Guys are going to have to be out there for longer and that’s my go.

"My main trait really is I’m a selfless role player, so I feel like I’ve still got plenty to give and I can develop young guys really well."

Ray said he was not quite ready to call it quits on his AFL career yet.

"I’m definitely not ready to give it up," Ray said.

"If no one else is interested I’ll go on with other parts of my life, but you’re a long time retired."

Farren Ray is delisted by St Kilda.

A hamstring injury in 2015 restricted Ray to just eight games but he chalked up the 200-game milestone in round 13.

St Kilda have stated they are open to re-drafting Ray as a rookie.

Farren Ray will make his comeback from a hamstring injury this weekend via Sandringham in the VFL.

St Kilda says the rash of hamstring injuries that has struck the club recently is more down to bad luck than poor management.

Seb Ross, Jack Billings, Farren Ray, Shane Savage and Dylan Roberton have all been hamstring victims during the Saints' pre-season.

"We have had a few pop up, but they've all been very different," St Kilda football manager Jamie Cox told radio station SEN.

"Nothing jumps out but the causes for these things can be many and varied.

"Regardless of injuries, we always analyse our program and I have total faith in our strength, conditioning and medical staff."

Farren Ray is already doing all he can to fast-track his rehabilitation from a serious hamstring injury and is aiming to get back playing within three months.

"I was told three to four months, but what I'll try to do is get back in about three months," Ray said.

"I've hit our dietitian up about foods and diet stuff I can do, and I've already started doing that – protein, carbohydrates.

"I'm trying to keep it up as much as I can … the doctor said I can walk around on it and can put some weight through it, but I did the other day and I pulled up a little bit sore, so right now I'm keeping it up as much as I can.

"I've had a great run until now. I've sort of got to cop this one on the chin because I haven't had any long-term injuries."

Farren Ray expected to miss up to 14 weeks after rupturing a tendon in his right hamstring during the Saints' three-point NAB Challenge loss to the Brisbane Lions.

"After a successful operation, Farren is resting and we are confident he will make a full recovery," general manager of football performance Jamie Cox said.

Beau Maister, Terry Milera have joined Farren Ray in re-signing with the Saints.

Farren Ray's manager Marty Pask says the St Kilda midfielder is unlikely to join Melbourne.

"Obviously there have been reports that Melbourne are interested, but as it stands right now there's nothing there that can get anything over the line," Pask said.

"As it stands now he's a St Kilda football player ... there's nothing over this three or four weeks that's suggested otherwise."

Farren Ray's manager says the St Kilda midfielder will likely stay a Saint despite struggling for opportunities in 2012.

"I do [think he'll stay a Saint] at the moment, most definitely. Nothing has jumped up at this point in time that suggests otherwise," Ray's manager Marty Pask said.

"St Kilda certainly haven't mentioned anything otherwise, so at this point in time, I foresee him being a St Kilda footballer and he's got that one year to go for next season.

St Kilda's Farren Ray says players that feel like they are stagnating should consider trade week after a trade to the Saints from the Bulldogs in 2008 reignited his passion for the game.

"Anyone who is thinking about getting traded, I can tell you it really does revive you," Ray said on Friday, as he took part in his new club's grand final parade.

"Different coaching methods, a fresh start, and also the Western Bulldogs had a lot of players my type and the Saints didn't have as many.

"It seemed to be a perfect fit."

Farren Ray's move to St Kilda from the Dogs continues to pay dividends for the West Australian with the midfielder averaging 24 disposals per game.

Fellow Saints midfielder was full of praise for Ray.

"He's been a great addition to our club – he's worked really hard, he's earning respect off the club and the players, and he's doing his job which is all you can ask," Hayes said.

Farren Ray informs the Western Bulldogs that he wishes to be traded from the club.

Farren Ray joins a list of players injured in the pre-season competition, having to sit out the start of the home and away season with a cracked fibula.