The 220-game premiership star tore his hamstring off the bone against Essendon in round four of that year and missed the rest of the season. He played 16 matches in 2011 and 24 in 2012 but managed just 10 this year.

 

Kerr retired just days after the Eagles' round 23 loss to Adelaide but it wasn't formally announced until October 15 when the players were on leave.

 

Speaking at the West Coast club champion awards on Friday night, Kerr said he was lucky to play so many games given the spate of severe injuries he suffered, saying he finished a shadow of his former self.

 

"I couldn't play the football I was capable of playing [after the injury]," Kerr said.

 

"I was able to play football to a reasonable level which allowed me to play in the team but ever since I did my hamstring I was never the same player I was before that.

 

"The only reason I could play AFL football for the period I did was because of the Eagles medical staff.

 

"Without those guys I probably would've only played 150 games."

 

His former self was one of the best players in the AFL during the Eagles' golden era of 2005-06. Kerr was runner-up in the Brownlow Medal in 2005 behind teammate Ben Cousins. He polled the third most votes in 2006 and was All Australian and again a Brownlow runner-up in 2007.

 

However, the midfielder was adamant the team success of 2006 was the highlight of his glittering career.  

 

"Definitely the Grand Final and my mate (Andrew Embley) winning the Norm Smith," Kerr said.

 

"It was a fantastic day. We lost the one the year before so to finally bring home the cup was fantastic."

 

Kerr reserved special praise for ex-coach John Worsfold despite the pair's rocky relationship at times.

 

"Aside from my father he's probably had the biggest influence on my life outside of football," Kerr said.

 

"Obviously there was a stage there where I was getting myself into different situations and John was very good at talking me around and I think I'm a much better person for meeting John and knowing John."

 

Worsfold recalled those conversations fondly.

 

"We've had some good heart to hearts across my desk," Worsfold said.

 

"I've half been out of my chair ready to throttle (him) at times and I absolutely have no doubt (he) was ready to do the same to me."