Sydney defender Rhyce Shaw will retire rating himself just an average player despite being a Swans mainstay for seven years and playing in a premiership-winning side.

The dashing halfback announced on Thursday he will hang up his boots at the end of the season, having already played 232 games since 2000 – 94 with Collingwood and 138 with the Swans.

“I didn’t really just want to just drift off and end up playing bad footy and injuries catching up,” said Shaw, who has played every game this season.

“I’ve been very lucky this year in that respect and it’s just a good time (to retire).”

Shaw 33, who played in the Swans’ 2012 premiership-winning team, said the move from Collingwood to Sydney before the 2009 season changed his life.

“I probably didn’t have a great time at the Pies but played in a grand final (in 2003) and come up here and that’s probably the best move I’ve ever made, both on the field and off the field,” he said.

Shaw will play against his younger brother and fellow defender Heath in Saturday’s Sydney derby against GWS Giants at Spotless Stadium.