MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 27: Matthew Wright of the Blues kicks the ball during the 2018 AFL round six match between the Western Bulldogs and the Carlton Blues at Etihad Stadium on April 27, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)
Carlton forward Matthew Wright has announced his retirement from the AFL, after 159 games over eight seasons.
Wright made his debut for the Crows back in Round 4, 2011, and went on to play 94 games for Adelaide before being delisted by the club at the end of the 2015 season.
Wright then joined the Blues a month later and had an instant impact, winning the club's leading goalkicker award in 2016 with 22 majors.
The 28-year-old kicked a career-high 30 goals in 2017, and played all but one game for the Blues this season.
“Clearly I’ve loved my time at Carlton and the passion is still there to play senior footy, but ultimately my desire to pursue my coaching ambitions became too strong and I believe the time is now right to follow that,” Wright told the club's website.
“My wife and I are expecting our first child next year and when the opportunity presented to return back to our home state, there was a lot to weigh up but we feel it is the right decision.
“I will always be incredibly grateful to Carlton for the opportunity to have continued my AFL career when it looked like it was over – it’s been so enjoyable working with a young and talented group. The Club is clearly on the right path under ‘Bolts’ and I wish the group nothing but the best for 2019 and beyond.”