Paul Medhurst Biography

Former Collingwood and Fremantle forward Paul Medhurst has nominated for the upcoming NAB AFL Draft in a bid to re-ignite his career.

Magpie forward Paul Medhurst informs his manager, Colin Young, that he will be retiring from football.

"He was actually on his way to meet with club officials when we spoke," Young said.

"I was more disappointed for Paul than shocked as I thought Paul was in the club's best 22 and he could at least play for another two years.

"I did try to convince Paul to play on. But I totally respect Paul's decision, as he thought his time was up and he made the move accordingly.''

Exciting forward Paul Medhurst is about to play his 150th game but admits he thought he would never get there.

"It was looking pretty shaky there for a while," Medhurst said.

"I thought I might be stranded on 99 games which would have been pretty disappointing but the last three years have been very positive and hopefully (there's) a few more."

Paul Medhurst is confident he can hold his place in the Magpies' side for the clash with Essendon despite some returning stars.

Medhurst played his first senior game since Round 6 on Saturday when he was a late replacement for Leon Davis, who was suffering from a cold.

Davis is certain to return this Friday night, while Scott Pendlebury, who missed last week with a knee injury, is also in contention after training this morning.

"I was having a flash back to my days at Fremantle three years ago when they won nine in a row and I couldn't get back in the side," Medhurst said.

"But Leon's coming in and Scott's coming in, so someone's coming out."

Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse says the form of Brad Dick and Alan Didak is keeping Paul Medhurst out of the side.

"He's not replacing players who play in a similar position because there's no automatic selection for anyone. When his form is better than those around him and there's an availability... he gets into the side," Malthouse said.

"We're not going to accommodate him by saying 'well one's more experienced than the other or one's better than the other."

Collingwood expect small forward Paul Medhurst to finally push for selection after missing six games to injury.

"Paul will do everything this week and he'll put his hand up for selection," Collingwood football chief Geoff Walsh said on Monday.

"He put his hand up last week and fortunately for us we were in a position that we'd been able to string a few (good) games together and he just missed, but didn't miss by much.

"He's missed a lot of footy, but (has had) 10 to 14 days of training, and he did play in the VFL the week before last, so conditioning-wise he's around about the mark."

Paul Medhurst is expected to be a late withdrawal from Collingwood's team against St Kilda, as the forward missed training.

Collingwood is likely to lose another key forward for tonight's clash with St Kilda with Medhurst set to miss with an injured ankle.

Paul Medhurst is a big chance to play in the Magpies' clash with St Kilda on Monday night as he recovers from an ankle injury.

"Medhurst will be a chance and the 10 days will help him a lot," Magpies captain Nick Maxwell said.

"A couple of our guys are a bit sore so the longer break gives them more of a chance to heal."

Collingwood forward Paul Medhurst says his injury-hit summer won't stop him replicating his stellar 2008.

Collingwood star Paul Medhurst has played his first game for the year, easing through a VFL practice match against North Melbourne yesterday.

Collingwood assistant coach Blake Caracella says All-Australian forward Paul Medhurst is likely to play for Collingwood this week.

After the season of his life, Magpie Paul Medhurst is battling a back injury that is hampering his 2009 preparations.