Michael Braun Biography

Michael Braun retires from football after a knee injury forces him to consider his future.

"I know the time has come and I know I can leave after getting every bit of energy and skill out of my body," Braun said.

"The game gets faster, it gets more demanding, and being 30 years of age and after 14 operations, the mind does tell you to keep going harder and faster but the body can't keep up.

"I do want to be able to kick the footy with my kids in 10 years' time."

Akermanis apologizes to Michael Braun for implying that the West Coast midfielder had used performance-enhancing drugs when he failed to keep up during a match in Brisbane.

"I apologise to him without any reservations. I am truly sorry for the hurt and trouble I have caused him. I just hope one day he can forgive me for the trouble I have caused," Akermanis wrote on the Bulldogs' website.

Braun was awarded damages of $60,000 and an apology by the Seven and Fairfax Radio Network after his name was leaked to the media as the subject of an earlier article written by Akermanis for the Herald Sun.