Brad Moran Biography

Adelaide ruckman and former Kangaroo Brad Moran has retired citing injury as the main reason for his decision.

My body's had a lot to deal with over the last three or four years. I don't want to be the guy that just hangs off a list for the next two years, and cripples my body in the process," Moran said.

"I was struggling to bend down and pick up balls, struggling to jump and losing my speed. When you get a situation like that in front of you, you really have to start thinking with your head and not your heart."

Adelaide utility Brad Moran says he has eight weeks in which to earn a new contract.

"I'm more hungry now … and time is running out for me. I'm only 24, but 24 is starting to get old in the AFL system," Moran said.

"It makes no difference to me [that I'm out of contract at the end of the season] … eight weeks gives me eight more opportunities to prove myself as a good player.

"It's about remaining consistent, building on the form I've had already and making sure I don't take any weeks for granted moving forward."

Crows ruckman Ivan Maric says he welcomes competition from teammates Brad Moran and Sam Jacobs for the main ruck spot at the club.

"With Sam coming into the club and Brad getting his leg right, we have been locking horns every day since the start of pre-season. That has been great for all three of us because we all improve a lot better and a lot quicker," Maric said.

"Whether they were fit or injured, it would not have changed my anything about my mentality. In training or playing, it is important for me to be competitive, aggressive and intimidating. That's when I play my best footy and enjoy my footy."

Adelaide assistant coach Matthew Clarke believes Ivan Maric faces strong competition from Sam Jacobs and Brad Moran in 2011.

"Ivan's done the majority of work in the first ruck role over the last couple of years and was the No.1 ruckman in the last game of last season. Incumbency counts for something but your form is only really good for one or two games," Clarke said.

"What Sam's done so far has been impressive and we've also got Brad Moran, who didn't play at all last year because of injury. We've pretty much got two new ruckmen into the system this year and Ivan will be under pressure from those guys.

"I'm sure they'll all get opportunities throughout the NAB Cup and whoever performs the best over the that period and on the track will get the first crack."

Adelaide could be without Brad Moran for the season due to complications with his knee.

"It's a bit of an unknown with Brad. We'll have to wait and see how he comes up towards the latter-part of the season," physical performance manager Stephen Schwerdt said.

"We definitely haven't ruled him out, but we need to make sure he has no setbacks during his rehab and that it all goes smoothly. That's the main agenda at the moment."

Adelaide pair Brad Symes and Brad Moran have stalled in their recovery from knee injuries, with Symes to have arthroscopic surgery this week.

Brad Moran hopes to play finals football after revolutionary knee surgery involving the use of a dissolving artificial ligament speeds his recovery.

"Instead of grafting a piece of quad or hamstring, which after 12 weeks can put you in contention for a strain or a tear because the muscle is weak, the surgeons use an artificial ligament which attaches to the bone and is rock-solid straight away," Moran said.

"The artificial ligament dissolves over the course of four-six years apparently...but the artificial ligaments have only been around two years so they don't actually know for sure yet.

"I was a bit of a guinea pig, but I'm an aggressive person by nature. I was desperate to get back, so when the surgeon offered the procedure to me I said: 'yes, give me the quickest option'."

A serious knee-injury to Crows ruckman Brad Moran has opened up a spot for youngsters James Sellar and Shaun McKernan.

"It's disappointing to lose Brad, especially because he's just started to come into some really good form," assistant coach David Noble said.

"Losing any player who is starting to have an influence in games is going to hurt you a little bit but it's up to others to pick up the slack."

"McKernan and Sellar have both been playing some really strong ruck work at SANFL level and I reckon they are ready to play. Shaun's been quite dominant at times in the middle, I haven't seen James as much but certainly the reports from Peter Jonas and Alan Stewart have been very encouraging, about their ruckwork particularly."

Brad Moran ruptured the posterior cruciate ligament in his left knee after landing awkwardly in a contest on Saturday against Sydney, ruining a promising day that netted him 18 touches and 14 hit-outs.

Moran's injury could open the door for 18-year-old Shaun McKernan to make his debut against Richmond on Saturday night at Gold Coast Stadium.

Nathan Van Berlo has joined coach Neil Craig in encouraging both Ivan Maric and Brad Moran to step up and stake a claim on the ruck position at the Crows.

"Over the last couple of weeks we've seen them developing in their around the ground work and also in their physicality," van Berlo said.

"I've noticed a change in attitude from both of them over the past month. Not that it was necessarily required, but I've seen them look to take their games to a new level and stand up because they realise that we need them."

Adelaide's Brad Moran is talking up the clash with former teammate Hamish McIntosh this weekend.

"I know Hamish pretty well and we've obviously played together. He's a good solid player and it will be a good challenge," Moran said.

"You have to be wary of Hamish around the ground because he can find the ball and use it.

"He's a big, tall ruckman and he has a lot of strength and reach, so we'll try and use athletic ability to try and beat him."