Australian rules football player Emma Grant has retired from the sport after the AFLW season ended early because of the coronavirus pandemic. 

The former Collingwood Football Club vice-captain and utility had missed the team's 2020 season because of a concussion. The 30-year-old suffered a serious head injury at a training match for the Magpies and couldn't feature in the team's AFLW finals debut appearance. 

Her team lost to North Melbourne in the semi-finals before the season was brought to a close early as a result of the pandemic.

Grant was part of Collingwood’s inaugural AFLW team, which was founded in 2017 and her team played the Magpies played Carlton in the first-ever game in the league.

During her career, Grant played in multiple positions for Collingwood, at both ends of the ground and midfield. She had a 20-game career, starting in 2017 and 7News reports that she said: "I can't thank the club enough for the past four years and making my football dream a reality."

"Growing up in the country, playing football with the boys was the only option. I never thought I would get the opportunity to play for an AFL club in a women's national competition.

"In the end, I made the decision to put my health first."

Jane Woodlands-Thompson, the women's sport manager at Collingwood praised Grant's legacy at the AFLW squad. She said: "As a foundation player, 'Granty' has played a key part in the Pies' journey and we thank her for the impact she has had on the club."

"She has been a key leader since Collingwood's AFLW inception despite her ongoing battle with injury.

"Her resilience and strength over the years is to be recognised and commended."

Outside of her career with the Magpies, Grant works as a PE teacher