Nicholas Duigan Biography

Despite retiring from football, Nick Duigan will not be able to play in another football league after being placed on Carlton's long term injury list.

"The only way he could play in another competition is if Carlton decided to pay out his contract midway through the year," a spokesman from the AFL said.

Nick Duigan officially retires after Carlton receives AFL permission to place the defender on its long-term injury list next season.

"Nick has had an ongoing knee condition which both he and the club were hoping could be managed through 2014," Carlton football manager Andrew McKay said.

"Unfortunately, the doctors have now made it very clear that his knee will not cope with another year at AFL level.

"To suggest that Nick has somehow let the club down by not reaching his decision earlier is simply inaccurate.

"At all times Nick has been entirely open and honest about the condition of his knee, and his ability to play on."

Nick Duigan is running out of time to resurrect his AFL career after being banned for two matches in the VFL for striking.

As one of five contenders from the Blues' captaincy this season, Nick Duigan will lead Carlton in their NAB Cup match against reigning premiers Sydney.

Carlton has named five players to its leadership group including Nick Duigan who joins Andrew Carrazzo, Kade Simpson, Jarrad Waite and Marc Murphy.

Bryce Gibbs and Michael Jamison, leaders in 2012, have been left out of the group, along with former skipper Chris Judd who has decided to focus solely on football in 2013.

First-year defender Nick Duigan has recovered from injury and will slot straight back into the Blues' team to take on the Bulldogs.

"You want to play in every game, but because I was injured the opportunity was there to freshen up," Duigan said.

"Going into the second half of the season, if you're going in without a niggler you're pretty lucky, but the body's holding up really well."

Nicholas Duigan makes his AFL debut for Carlton at the MCG with 13 disposals (8 kicks and 5 handballs), 4 marks and 2 tackles in a 20-point win over Richmond.