Andrew Carrazzo Biography

Andrew Carrazzo will retire from umpiring after injuring his calf for the fourth time this year.

"I am super disappointed. It is what it is. Unfortunately there is nothing more I can do," Carazzo said.

"I really enjoyed my time in umpiring. I look forward to some continued involvement down the track helping out developing umpires."

Jordan Lewis accepts a $1000 fine for tripping Carlton's Andrew Carrazzo and will be free to play in Hawthorn's qualifying final against West Coast in Perth.

Andrew Carrazzo announces his retirement and will call an end to his career after playing in the Blues' final game of 2015 against Hawthorn.

"Andrew is one of those players you know would bleed blue. He put his heart and soul into everything he did at this football club and we have been privileged to have him as part of our team," Carlton football boss Andrew McKay said.

"He has always shown tremendous leadership both on and off the field, especially as a mentor to our younger players.

"On behalf of everyone at Carlton I would like to thank Andrew for his contribution and wish him and his family every success in the future."

Carlton cuts it's leadership group from eight to five.

Sam Rowe is a new addition to the group while Andrew Carrazzo, Kade Simpson, Andrew Walker and the delisted Brock McLean have left the group.

Existing leadership group members include Marc Murphy, who will continue as captain, Michael Jamison, Bryce Gibbs and Lachie Henderson.

Carlton has announced an expanded eight-man leadership group for 2014 to be headed by second-year captain Marc Murphy.

Andrew Carrazzo and Kade Simpson will be joint vice-captains, while defender Michael Jamison returns to the group after 12 months in the role of deputy vice-captain.

As well as Jamison, Bryce Gibbs, Lachie Henderson, Brock McLean and Andrew Walker are new inclusions for 2014.

"We have the experienced leadership of Simpson and Carrazzo, together with Brock McLean who is a strong voice both on and off the field," Blues general manager of football operations Andrew McKay said.

"After 12 months out of the leadership group, Bryce Gibbs and Michael Jamison return, which is great to see, because they're two very important and respected figures within the playing group.

"We're also pleased to see Andrew Walker and Lachie Henderson step up – both have come off a terrific season in 2013, finishing second and third respectively in the best and fairest."

Andrew Carrazzo admits to being frustrated with injuries last year as a leader of the Blues.

"I think in the past I've been OK with being injured – not OK but I've been able to deal with it OK – but it was a real battle last year," Carrazzo said.

"It was my first year as vice-captain of the club and I really felt a responsibility to the group to be out there helping them as much as I could and that was disappointing from that respect."

An ongoing calf injury will keep Andrew Carrazzo out for the rest of the season.

"He's missed a number of games this season with his calves … (But) it enables him to get both calves right for next year," Carlton football manager Andrew McKay said.

"(It's) obviously a huge bonus for us getting him on the field with his leadership and his skill … so we're looking forward to having a good year with him next year."

Andrew Carrazzo admits to being disappointed at missing out on the Blues' captaincy.

"For sure. And I know Kade was as well. But now we look forward to becoming a tight unit," Carrazzo said.

"You look at all the good teams in the past, especially the really successful ones, they've had a group of five or six leaders who really feed off of each other, who really support each other."

Andrew Carrazzo signs a two-year contract extention with Carlton, keeping him at the Blues until 2015.

"Andrew's form last season was some of the best we have seen from him, so this is obviously a major win for the club,'' Blues football manager Andrew McKay said in a statement.

"The fact he finished sixth in last year's best and fairest, even though he missed a large chunk of the season through injury, indicates how significant he is to our team.'

Carlton will decide between Andrew Carrazzo, Marc Murphy and Kade Simpson for the captaincy with each player being rotated for the leadership role in the opening three rounds of the NAB Cup.

Carrazzo says former skipper Chris Judd will be invaluable resource to all three players.

"He's got a wealth of knowledge, having played under John Worsfold (at West Coast), and his experience, and being in a successful team he knows what it takes to get to the top level," Carrazzo said about Judd.

"Juddy's a fantastic example. He's someone who's always willing to offer his experience and his know-how. In a way, we're lucky that Juddy's still here and playing such a big part still, so he's able to help us along."

Carlton has named five players to its leadership group including Nick Duigan who joins Andrew Carrazzo, Kade Simpson, Jarrad Waite and Marc Murphy.

Bryce Gibbs and Michael Jamison, leaders in 2012, have been left out of the group, along with former skipper Chris Judd who has decided to focus solely on football in 2013.

Brock McLean says Chris Judd should relinquish the captain and allow players such as Andrew Carazzo or Marc Murphy to assume the leadership mantle at Carlton.

"He's probably the best player at the club. Personally I think he's best off focussing on his footy, but that's only my opinion," McLean said of Judd.

"The two standouts for me are Andrew Carrazzo and Marc Murphy. 'Carrotts' is probably a little bit more experienced and bit older than Murph, he's got a really good hold on things and the way he talks to the group both in a positive manner and a demanding manner is something that we need.

"Marc Murphy, his best way of leading is leading by example and his performance the last two years when he has been out on the park have been pretty outstanding."

Carlton midfielder Andrew Carrazzo has labelled the four-week suspension to Jack Ziebell 'disappointing' despite teammate Aaron Joseph being concussed from the incident.

"It's disappointing. It probably goes against our instincts as players to see the ball and win in," Carrazzo told Seven's AFL Game Day.

"'AJ' (Joseph) was hit in the head and knocked out. I'm not trying to take the gloss off that. But it is confusing for us players as well about knowing what to do and what's acceptable and what's not."

Andrew Carrazzo stepped back into his stopping role for the Blues against the Eagles as if he'd never missed a beat.

"You love picking Andy because you know what you're going to get at every contest and what the game means to him," Ratten said.

"That just shows the player he is, to come back from eight weeks off and have 28 possessions and start his game on Hurn and then end up reducing Kerr's influence on the game.

"I thought it was just a brilliant performance and it's just a credit to him."

Carlton's recent slump has coincided with the absence of Andrew Carrazzo, and statistics show that's no great surprise .

"I definitely think they've missed him in terms of his ability to nullify the opposition's best onballer and then get a lot of that first contested possession," former teammate Nick Stevens said.

"A lot of people reckon he's dangerous when he's getting possessions in the 30s, but I actually think he's more dangerous when he's concentrating on cutting out the opposition's key ball winner and getting 20 or so contested possessions himself."

Essendon midfielder Sam Lonergan has received threats on Twitter serious enough for the matter to be referred to police.

The threats are related to Lonergan's tackle on Carlton midfielder Andrew Carrazzo which resulted in Carrazzo leaving the field with a broken shoulder blade that will sideline him for several weeks.

"It's seriously disturbing that anybody would have these thoughts, let alone action them by making threats through social media," AFLPA chief executive Matt Finnis said.

"Regardless of motive or intent, any person who engages in such deplorable conduct should not take comfort from a perceived veil of anonymity within social media to avoid detection."

Carlton midfielder Andrew Carrazzo and his wife Yvette will welcome triplets into the world in January.

Andrew Carrazzo will captain Carlton in his 100th AFL game against Richmond on Thursday night in the absence of the suspended Chris Judd.

Andrew Carrazzo and Aaron Joseph have signed on to stay at the Blues until the end of 2011.

"Both players have had to work hard to be given the opportunity to play AFL, having to start as rookie players, and have made the most of the opportunities that they have earned," Carlton general manager of football operations Steven Icke said in a statement.

"They are both wonderful examples of the importance the Carlton Football Club places on development and ensuring we provide our players with the best environment and opportunity to improve both as individuals and as part of a team."

Andrew Carrazzo is among several Blues in contention to bolster Carlton's midfield for the clash with Brisbane this weekend after being out with a fractured finger since round 6.

"His fitness levels are outstanding from training, running around half touching the ball with his other hand," Carlton coach Brett Ratten said.

"Now he can fully touch it, so he's right."

Setanta O'hAilpin is suspended indefinitely for attack on Cameron Cloke and Andrew Carazzo breaks his arm in intraclub match.

Carlton was delivered another body blow last night with confirmation midfielder Andrew Carrazzo will miss six weeks with a broken forearm.