Craig Bolton Biography

Sydney defender Craig Bolton is forced into retirement after succumbing to an ankle injury that will require season-ending surgery.

"It is not the ending I would have liked, but I think it is the right thing to do," Bolton said.

"I've spent nearly 11 months coming back from my achilles injury and I've got so close. I was confident I'd be able to play in the next few weeks, so I was pretty shattered from that point of view.

"It is tough but you've got to force yourself to look at the bigger picture and I've had a wonderful career here at the Swans."

Craig Bolton relinquishes his role as co-captain of the Swans in an effort to devote 2011 to getting his body right after missing almost the entire season last year.

"This was a very hard decision for me but I wanted to be able to concentrate all my energy on getting back onto the playing field this year," he said.

"It has been a huge honour to captain the Sydney Swans for the past three years alongside such club greats as Brett Kirk, Leo Barry and Adam Goodes."

Craig Bolton tells of his struggles in overcoming his injury exile and has set his sights on making his comeback in Round 1 of 2011.

"It was very lonely. I was the only person in the gym, coming in every day. I was doing a lot of rehab exercises in the gym and also running," Bolton said.

"I can't wait to get back out there and be playing good footy and be contributing to what is a really exciting time for the club. I'm hopeful I'll be right to go Round 1.''

Sydney Swans defender Craig Bolton will miss up to six weeks with an achilles injury after falling awkwardly in a marking contest against West Coast.

"He's struggling to walk and I'd say he's no chance to play this week. It may be a long term injury but we're not sure at this stage," Sydney coach Paul Roos said.

"He's been carrying it a little bit. He just felt it [go] when he took his last step to take off for the spoil on [Mark] LeCras. We've just got to get a scan on it but it could be a three, four, five or six week [injury] depending on how much damage there is."

Craig Bolton knows that he will face a range of opponents in 2010 as Heath Grundy is groomed to become Sydney's key tall back.

"Heath Grundy showed last year what he can do and I think he's going to develop and be the linchpin of this side in the years to come," Bolton said.

"He's got a lot of potential and he's a great attacking defender as well. Hopefully he'll just continue to develop this year."

Paul Roos has paid tribute to Ted Richards who was taken to hospital after a heavy collision with teammate Craig Bolton and Carlton's Brendan Fevola.

"He really is a courageous player but unfortunately things like that happen from time to time and I'm sure Teddy would agree with that," Roos said.

"But it was a courageous act and the real positive is that he's okay and hopefully he's up and about soon."

Hailing from the ACT, Craig Bolton is modest, preferring to let his football speak of his ability, and at times it hollers.

"Growing up in Canberra, it can be a difficult situation. You haven't got a lot of people ahead of you who have gone on and had long careers," Bolton said.

"Obviously, there was a few in my case with Hird and Hamill, and a couple of others, but it's hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel when you're an emerging youngster down there."

Craig Bolton will play his 150th game for the Swans this Saturday, one of many players to make good in Sydney.

"When I came to Sydney I wasn't playing regular footy every week and just to get that opportunity to play week in, week out really gave me some confidence to develop my game and how I play," Bolton said.

"So full credit to Roosy and the coaches for that."

Craig Bolton says the Swans were outmuscled by a more desperate team in wet conditions at the Gabba.

Craig Bolton replaces Barry Hall as co-captain of the Swans alongside Leo Barry and Brett Kirk.

"I'm really proud to be here and it's obviously a huge honour to accept this role," Bolton said.

" I think I've probably evolved as a leader over the last few years. Hopefully I'll grow into the role and become a better leader."

Swans coach Paul Roos explained his choice in selecting Bolton as co-captain.

"I think a lot of it is down to gut feeling when you get down to two people who have represented the club so well and who exhibit the characteristics we want our players to exhibit," Roos said.