Jimmy Bartel has decided against lengthening his stellar AFL career into a 16th season, retiring after 305 games for Geelong.

The 2007 Brownlow Medallist and the Cats have agreed on terms that mean the one-club player will hang up his boots, despite triggering a clause in his contract to earn a deal to play on in 2017.

“Jimmy is the embodiment of what a footballer should be,” Geelong coach Brad Scott said of the three-time premiership winner on Wednesday.