Melbourne ruckman Tom Campbell has made his retirement official.
The move has been widely expected in the industry for more than a month, with the 34-year-old not featuring this season due to a neck injury suffered in pre-season.
He has been one of footy's great survival stories, playing 58 games across 14 seasons, representing North Melbourne, Western Bulldogs, St Kilda and the Dees.
Amazingly, Campbell never played more than nine games in a single season.
Demons football boss Alan Richardson praised Campbell for his leadership and impact during his time at the club.
“Tom has been a great leader and role model throughout his time here, and he is the kind of player and person who brings the best out of those around him,” Richardson said.
"He is someone who gave everything to the football club, day in, day out. Whether it was his professionalism, the way he prepared himself, or how much he genuinely cared for the people around him, including his teammates and staff."
“On behalf of everyone at the Melbourne Football Club, we thank Tom for his contribution and wish him, his wife Emma and their family all the very best for the future.”
Campbell's retirement opens up a second spot for Melbourne at the Mid-Season Rookie Draft after Jai Culley's season ending ACL injury.
The Dees' recruiting team has scouted widely and been linked to many names, with rucks on the priority list given the expectation of Campbell's decision.
North Melbourne VFL's James Tarrant, West Adelaide's Caleb May and Frankston's Harrison Coe are among the leading ruck contenders for the May 26 intake.
