Young Power ruckman Hugh Minson has been forced into an early retirement from all forms of football due to knee problems.

Minson, 20, was told by specialists this week that he should retire from any form of contact sport, such was the condition of his knee.

Dr Peter Barnes described Minson’s knee problem as being the “degeneration of the joint surfaces as a result of previous knee injuries when he was young”.

Minson, who told his teammates of his decision before training this afternoon, thanked the club for the opportunities he’d been given since being drafted.

“My knee has not held up to the rigours of being on an AFL list and has degenerated rapidly,” Minson explained. “I have seen specialists in Adelaide and Melbourne and all the medical professionals are telling me to stop playing football to prevent further serious damage to the joint.

“I’m devastated. I didn’t plan my career to pan out like this and it’s made harder because I’m not on crutches and my leg’s not in plaster but whether I have surgery or not I’m told it will never stand up to AFL life.

“I love the club, I’ve made a lot of friendships and I’ll always be thankful for the experiences over the last two-and-half years at the Port Adelaide Football Club. But unfortunately I won’t be able to pursue my dream of playing AFL. My Dad taught me to deal with the cards you get dealt in life and that’s what I’ll be doing.”

Power General Manager – Football Operations Peter Rohde said the club felt for Minson.

“We’re disappointed for Hugh because he’s an outstanding young man,” Rohde said. “He has worked really hard with Matty Primus, Brendon Lade, Dean Brogan and the entire coaching group to develop as a ruckman and was very professional in his approach to football.

“The decision he’s made is out of absolute necessity to give himself the best chance of being able to live an active life in the future so we certainly wish him well.”

The younger brother of Western Bulldogs ruckman Will, Hugh was drafted at No. 58 in the 2006 NAB AFL Draft as a 17-year-old and long-term project from Norwood.

This year was his third year at the club but was yet to make his AFL debut. He played senior football with Norwood last year after progressing from playing in the reserves in 2006. He pulled on the Power guernsey for the first time in an official game against Sydney in Round 2 of the NAB Challenge earlier this year.

Minson will be placed on the long-term injury list for the rest of the season, giving the Power the option of upgrading a rookie at any time, should they be deemed worthy. The Power’s four rookie-listed players are Nick Salter, Ryan Willits, Gavin Grose and Daniel Boyle.