St Kilda legend Nick Riewoldt has confirmed he will retire at the end of this season.
While the key forward wrestled with the decision for several weeks, Riewoldt said he is comfortable with retirement.
“A lot of people get to this stage and are potentially scared about the future and that becomes a motivator to continue,” he said.
“I don’t have any fear about what’s next and I don’t have any regrets.”
Riewoldt will bow out as one of the greatest players in AFL history, a freakish talent who was renowned for his courage and leadership.
The five-time All-Australian holds the record for the most games as St Kilda captain and, unofficially, the all-time AFL marks record.
He also won a record six club best and fairest awards.
The announcement follows months of speculation about whether this season would be it.
The 34-year-old has played 333 games since his 2001 debut, second only to Robert Harvey’s 383 at St Kilda.
Riewoldt holds the club record for the most games as captain with 220 and also the most best and fairest awards with six.
He gave up the captaincy last year to Jarryn Geary.
He never played in a premiership team but came agonisingly close, with the Saints narrowly losing to Geelong in the 2009 grand final and then losing the grand final replay the following year after drawing with Collingwood.
“I guess that’s an aspect of my career that I’ve beaten myself up over at various stages,” he said.
“But it’s not until you really take inventory of everything that’s occurred and you ask yourself the question.
“The reason I’m content is going through those experiences, what more could we have done? Personally could I have trained any harder? Could I have pushed any more? Could I have prepared any better?
“The answer’s no.
“Until they start giving away premiership medals, I’m content, knowing we gave it an absolute crack.”
Riewoldt was rested on the weekend as the Saints lost to Port Adelaide by two points and he has played 14 games this season.
He has struggled for much of his career with chronic knee problems.
NICK RIEWOLDT
* Age 34
* Recruited by St Kilda from the Southport (Qld) with the priority No.1 selection, 2000 national draft
* AFL debut round 15, 2001
* 333 senior games for St Kilda, second behind Robert Harvey’s 383
* Six-time club best and fairest
* Five-time All-Australian (captain 2009, vice-captain 2014)
* Rising Star winner 2002
* Club record 220 games as captain
* 714 goals, third-most for St Kilda
* Four-time club leading goalkicker
* 2004 AFLPA most valuable player
* Three-time international rules player
* Most marks in a season with 256, in 2004. Led marks last year with 222. Six times most marks in a season.
