David Astbury Biography

David Astbury makes the surprising call to retire at just 30 years of age.

"It really is a dream to be completely content with what my career consists of and be really proud of that," Astbury said.

"I am really humbled by the football club wanting to keep me around, but I know this decision is right for me and for the club going forward. I am so proud that I have fulfilled my career and my dream at one club, this club."

David Astbury will miss up to five weeks after suffering cartilage damage to his knee from a marking contest in Richmond's loss to St Kilda. Astbury left the ground for treatment, before playing out the game under duress.

"He had some scans and there's a little bit of loose fragment of articular cartilage which had come off behind the patella which needs to be removed. So he's going into surgery and will probably miss around 4-5 weeks," Tigers physical performance manager Peter Burge said.

David Astbury and Kamdyn McIntosh each sign two-year contract extensions with Richmond, both committing to the end of 2021.

"Kamdyn and Dave have both been consistent contributors for a number of years and are both popular and important members of our playing group," Tigers list manager Blair Hartley said.

"They're extremely hardworking and determined players that have set a high standard for their teammates.

"We look forward to watching them across the next two seasons as we continue to push for more success."

David Astbury says he is fortunate to be playing alongside Alex Rance in Richmond's defence.

"We work in tandem. I'm really, really lucky I get to play with a player of his calibre and sometimes the shoe's on the other foot, where he relies on me to play his best footy," Astbury said of Rance.

"But we have a great working relationship and a great off-field relationship as well, so I just consider myself lucky."

Astbury says he has is glad he chose to stay at the Tigers at the end of 2015 despite interest from other clubs.

"I was 24 years of age and thought I was ready to play (regular) senior footy," he said.

"At the end of the day, it was my decision to stay at Richmond, and I'm really proud of that decision and I worked through a lot of deficiencies in my game.

"I was good at defending, but wasn't as good as I could be at winning the ball back, and I think I've addressed that.

"It has been a journey, and at different stages the game hasn't been kind to me with injuries and what not, but my body feels in tip-top shape. I'm in a state now where I'm really proud of the way I went about it and actually wouldn't change a thing."

David Astbury signs a new deal with Richmond that will keep him at the club until the end of 2019.

"We feel Dave is entering his prime as a player," Tigers football manager Dan Richardson said.

"He has provided our defence with stability this season, and we are sure he will continue to develop his game and leadership at the club.

"He’s worked hard, is held in high regard around the club, and we feel the security of a three-year contract extension is well deserved."

David Astbury will undergo minor thumb surgery after suffering ligament damage during last Richmond's NAB Challenge clash against Fremantle.

Astbury is expected to be fit in time for the club's round one match against Carlton.

David Astbury says being stung by a stingray caused more pain than the two knee dislocations he's suffered in his injury-hit career.

"It sort of barbed me pretty hard up through the inside of my left foot and into my ankle," Astbury told the Seven Network.

"The poison they have brings on quite a bit of pain and it thins the blood as well so there was obviously a fair bit of bleeding.

"It was more painful than dislocating my kneecap."

David Astbury looks likely to miss Richmond's AFL season opener against Carlton after he was stung in the left foot by a stingray.

Astbury was in a recovery session at a Port Phillip Bay beach on Wednesday when the barb did enough damage to require minor surgery.

"While you can imagine there has been a bit of banter between Dave and his teammates about his luck or lack thereof, this is a reasonably serious and extremely painful injury," Tigers football manager Dan Richardson said.

"We expect Dave will recover quickly and be ready for selection in the early rounds of the season."

David Astbury says he has full confidence in his body and is determined to capitalise on the form that made him Richmond's most improved player before he suffered a season-ending knee injury in May this year.

"I feel every bit as good as I did pre-surgery," Astbury said.

"I had a different procedure than I did the last time, so it's put me in good stead, and so far I'm moving around freely and really enjoying being back out on the track.

"My rehab progression was absolutely flawless and that set me up to have a big pre-season, and so far that's been very good also."

David Astbury is poised for a full pre-season program with Richmond optimistic his late-season VFL return will give him confidence in his battered knees.

"He had the surgery and it was successful and he got back playing and worked really hard, which is a credit to him," Richmond football manager Dan Richardson said.

"He'll be ready to go from the start of pre-season, which is terrific.

"I think getting back and playing one game, even though it was only one will give him the confidence that his knee is right to go."

David Astbury has signed a two-year contract with Richmond, tying him to the club until the end of 2016.

"It's been a bit of a process ... but (I am) really excited to break the news, and I'm very proud to be part of this football club for the next two years," Astbury said.

Alex Rance says he can't wait for teammate David Astbury to join him in the Tigers backline after making quicker-than-expected progress in his recovery from a serious knee injury.

Sidelined since round 10 with a repeat of the patella injury that struck him down in 2011, Astbury is well ahead of schedule in his recovery and on track to return to the field later this season.

"I'd love to play a few games with him ... he's one of my best mates. I know we've got Sydney and a few others late who have got plenty of tall timber so all the help would be great," Rance said.

"He was probably one of the only shining lights for the start of the season and he's got an amazing ability to win one-on-one contests."

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick is emotional after David Astbury suffers a suspected dislocated right kneecap against Melbourne.

"You only have to see what it means to the kid - to see tears in his eyes at three-quarter time," Hardwick said.

"He knows what he's done and unfortunately he's going to be a big loss for us. We're not exactly sure of the extent."

Richmond defender David Astbury is in doubt for round one after suffering a minor foot injury.

"It's very frustrating that I'll miss the opportunity to (push my case for selection), but hopefully I'll still be considered and get an opportunity soon," Astbury said.

Richmond has extended the contract of key position player David Astbury until the end of 2014.

"Not only for his football ability, but also his excellent character," Richmond's general manager of football Craig Cameron said about the club's decision to extend Astbury's contract.

"After a bad run with injury, he's now fit and really looking forward to a full pre-season. We expect him to come on in leaps and bounds throughout 2013."

Richmond defender David Astbury is finally emerging from the frustration of a long rehabilitation from a knee injury and hopes to make his return by round 6.

"I can see the light at the end of the tunnel," he said.

"The knee is starting to loosen up and I'm feeling lot better."

Young Richmond utility David Astbury has some big shoes to fill after being handed the famous No.12 jumper last worn by Tiger champion Matthew Richardson.

"Richo himself having a say in who gets to wear the number [makes it] a real honour," Astbury said.

"I have a real obligation to represent it the best I can."

David Astbury makes his AFL debut for Richmond at the MCG with 7 disposals (6 kicks and a handball), 3 marks, a tackle and 3 goals in a 55-point loss to Melbourne.