Jayden Pitt Biography

Former Docker Jayden Pitt reflects on being forced to end his AFL career prematurely due to a heart condition.

"I wasn't having any symptoms, but they were telling me I couldn't play. I felt fine and completed pre-season, so that was disappointing," Pitt said.

"I had to wait for mum and dad to come over. We all saw the specialist together in Perth, and at that stage I was told I couldn't play football.

"I was pretty emotional and devastated at the time, so were my mum and dad, but I guess I couldn't really do much about it.

"How I saw it was not to be too greedy or selfish. I have been lucky enough to do what I wanted to do in life and that was to play AFL. I did that, so I can't be too greedy.

"For [my AFL career] to be cut short is obviously devastating, but as a lot of people have told me there's more to life than football. It's about enjoying life. Not everything is about playing AFL football."

Jayden Pitt has confirmed his retirement from the Dockers, but hasn't given up hope of playing at the highest level again.

Pitt played 10 games over his three seasons with the Dockers, but was unable to play on after a routine screening earlier this year revealed a heart complaint.

"It's extremely disappointing for Jayden to reach such a decision but his long term health and welfare are paramount," Fremantle football operations manager Chris Bond said.

"On current medical advice it is not safe for Jayden to continue playing at the highest level.

"However, Jayden, his family, the club and his management will endeavour to identify possible avenues for him to one day return to playing AFL level football."

After being diagnosed with heart irregularity, Jayden Pitt remains optimistic he can still play AFL football.

"After receiving the initial diagnosis from a specialist in Perth, I consulted a Melbourne cardiologist and have subsequently worked through both opinions with my family," Pitt said.

"At this stage, I'm working closely with the doctors, my family and the club to determine where we go from here.

"With that level of support, I'm remaining upbeat and continue to have a positive outlook as far as playing football goes."

Freo midfielder Jayden Pitt has been force feeding himself in a bid to add weight to his light frame.

"We keep saying you want to do the team thing and put your head over the ball, so that's an area I want to be really good at and I think the club wants me to be really good at as well," Pitt said.

"[Putting on weight] will help, but there's no reason why I can't do that (win contested possessions) now."

Jayden Pitt makes his AFL debut for Fremantle at the Gabba with 12 disposals (9 kicks and 3 handballs), a mark, a tackle and a goal in a 2-point win over Brisbane.

Jayden Pitt will make his debut for Fremantle against the Brisbane Lions on Saturday night.

"Young players always need to develop, but if they display maturity and composure then you certainly induct them into your team when you think it's right," Fremantle coach Mark Harvey said.

"He's got good poise and balance. He's played two games now, not full games, and he's displayed an ability to be composed at this level, therefore he's got a game."