Alex Keath, the former Western Bulldogs defender, has officially announced his retirement from AFL after a career spanning 109 games across two clubs, Adelaide and the Western Bulldogs. The 32-year-old’s journey in professional sports is unique, as it began in cricket before transitioning to football.
Keath first made his mark in cricket, representing Australia in the Under-19 World Cup and playing domestic cricket for Victoria. He also had a stint in the Big Bash League with the Melbourne Stars. Despite his early success in cricket, Keath made the decision in 2015 to switch to Australian Rules Football, signing with the Adelaide Crows as a Category B rookie.
During his time at Adelaide, Keath developed into a key defender and played a pivotal role in the Crows’ 2019 campaign. He was later traded to the Western Bulldogs, where he continued to impress, even playing in the 2021 AFL Grand Final. However, injuries and the rise of other key defenders like Rory Lobb limited his opportunities in recent seasons. A significant hamstring injury in 2023 hastened the end of his AFL career, with Keath only managing five games this year.
In his retirement announcement, Keath expressed deep gratitude to both the Western Bulldogs and Adelaide Football Club, thanking his teammates, coaches, and fans for their support. He highlighted the memories he had made during his football journey, especially during his time at the Bulldogs.
Now that his AFL career has concluded, there is speculation that Keath may look to re-enter the cricketing world, though no official announcements have been made regarding his next steps.
