Robert Shirley Biography

Former Adelaide Crow Robert Shirley has withdrawn his nomination from the NAB AFL Pre-Season and Rookie Drafts thereby effectively announcing his retirement.

Discarded Crow Robert Shirley is weighing up his future and may consider joining another club in that is a premiership contender.

"Given that he's 29, he's had a good career," Shirley's manager Peter Lenton said.

"The big issue is whether he wants to move for one year."

Adelaide has delisted five senior players and one rookie in the lead-up to the 2009 NAB AFL Draft.

Robert Shirley was let go after playing 151 games along with Nick Gill, Greg Gallman, Aaron Kite, Tom Lee as well rookie-listed James Moss.

Adelaide tagger Rob Shirley says praise from Gary Albett has given him added confidence before the do-or-die Collingwood clash.

Ablett identified Shirley and Carlton youngster Aaron Joseph as his toughest opponents this season.

"That's a great compliment from a great player. It gives me a bit of confidence," Shirley said.

Crow tagger Robert Shirley will miss a finals-shaping game for his club against Carlton after straining his hamstring against West Coast.

Adelaide will go into next Saturday's twilight game against Carlton without tagger Robert Shirley who injured his hamstring against the Eagles.

The task of minding Carlton superstar Chris Judd is likely to fall on Michael Doughty who did the job on the Blues skipper the last time the two sides met.

Adelaide tagger Rob Shirley says uncertainty about his future drives him to succeed.

"Every year I've been in a position where I'm a little uncertain as to what's going to happen the following year, but it's given me drive to make the most of the position I'm in now," Shirley said.

"I think I've still got another two or three good years of footy left in me, but in saying that it's a year-by-year prospect. You've got to take every game as it comes and make the most of it."

Adelaide coach Neil Craig says Robert Shirley, left out of round one, must prove that he's more than just a tagger.