Former Melbourne AFL skipper Brad Green has confirmed he will retire at the end of the season.
The 31-year-old forward plans to bid farewell to the Demons’ faithful during their last home game of the year, in the second-last round against Adelaide at the MCG.
He said he hoped to move into AFL coaching.
Green made his debut for the Demons back in 2000 and is the only survivor from their grand-final loss to Essendon that year.
He held the captaincy during a difficult season in 2011 before being stripped of it by incoming coach Mark Neeld.
Green said he felt it was time to step aside and “let the emerging group grow”.
“I never wanted to overstay my welcome,” Green said.
“Melbourne need to move past me.”
Green has played 251 games and, since returning from a hip flexor injury, has been one of Melbourne’s best, kicking five goals in their win over Gold Coast last round and three the previous week.
He won the club’s best-and-fairest award in 2010 and, last year, captained Australia in the International Rules series against Ireland.