Over 30 players have called time on their AFL careers in 2023, while more retirements could be on the way as clubs continue to shape their lists for next season.
All players are bound to inevitably announce their retirement, whether it's forced through injury or to make way for the next generation. All players will have their own stories to tell once they've given all they can to the game.
Compiled of living legends and club icons, here's a full list of every AFLย player that has hung up the boots this year.
Adelaideย
Fischer McAsey: He was selected at No.6 in the 2019 NAB AFL Draft, making him the Crows' highest-ever draft pick at the time. He played 10 senior games, all in the COVID-affected 2020 season. Departed the Crows before the start of the season.
Paul Seedsman: Played 132 games across 13 seasons with Collingwood and Adelaide. He was named in the 40-man All-Australian squad and finished third in the Crows' best and fairest award in 2020.
Brisbane
Daniel Rich:ย Will retire at the conclusion of Brisbane's premiership push, with Rich hoping to overcome a hamstring injury and play a role in the Lions' September series. Will end his career as a one-club player and a Lions great, having played 275 games for Brisbane - a run that included a difficult few periods for the club.
Marcus Adams:ย Another player who called time on his career following advice from medical professionals who studied his concussion case. Adams was placed on the inactive list early this year as he continued to deal with a head knock sustained late into last season. Played 27 games for the Bulldogs before switching to Brisbane in 2018 and would feature in a further 46 games in Queensland.
Nakia Cockatoo: The talented Brisbane utility announced his retirement from the AFL after a career plagued by injuries. The 26-year-old produced 49 senior games across nine seasons for both the Lions and Geelong. Cockatoo spent most of his career at Kardinia Park before he was traded to the Lions at the end of the 2020 season in the hope of revitalising his career. Cockatoo played 15 games in his new colours but ultimately struggled to break into the strong Brisbane team due to form and injury.
Carlton
Ed Curnow:ย Will end his career in line with the conclusion of Carlton's finals run, with Curnow among the few Blues players who have appeared in the September action before. While an outside chance to earn a recall into Michael Voss' side, Curnow will be there to take his chance if one falls his way. Has played over 220 games in the navy blue as a much-loved member of the club.
Lachie Plowman: The Blues defender has hung up the boots, bringing an end to an AFL career spanning 11 seasons and 145 games.ย Plowman was the third overall selection by GWS at the 2012 National Draft, where he managed 20 games over three seasons. The 29-year-old was a notable member of the Blues side during his eight seasons, even finishing third in the 2019 club best and fairest.
Collingwood
N/A
Essendon
Andrew Phillips: After 12 seasons at three AFL clubs, the 32-year-old informed the club that he will hang up the boots. A career that spanned across three clubs, including Carlton and GWS, Phillips established himself as a solid journeyman ruckman.
Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti: Decided to leave the Bombers early into last season after a battle with injury and for personal reasons. He then made his emotional return to the club against Hawthorn in Round 1. McDonald-Tipungwuti officially retired after his final game against Collingwood in Round 24, bringing his career games to a total of 133.
Fremantle
N/A
Geelong
Jonathon Ceglar: He finishes his career with 110 AFL games to his name after a long-serving ruck role at Hawthorn. Ceglar played his final seasons at Geelong, playing his last six games this year.
Isaac Smith: The four-time premiership wingman retired at the end of the season after a decorated career. Smith played 210 games for the Hawks before switching to Geelong at the end of the 2020 season, where he would play 67 games. The highlight of his career would be his impressive display in the 2022 Grand Final where he walked away with the Norm Smith medal.
Gold Coast
Connor Blakely: The 27-year-old played eight of his nine seasons at Fremantle before being picked up by Gold Coast in last year's AFL Rookie Draft. Blakely was unable to crack the senior Gold Coast side, sitting behind the likes of Matt Rowell, Touk Miller and Noah Anderson. Blakely played his final senior game in the VFL Grand Final against Werribee at Ikon Park, where the Suns earned their first premiership.
Charlie Constable: Originally drafted by Geelong in 2019, Constable played 12 games for the Cats before he was delisted at the end of 2021 and drafted by the Suns, where he'd play just four games. His notable achievements include becoming one of the most proficient half-backs in the VFL and eventually leading Gold Coast to their first premiership victory at the state league level.
GWS
Phil Davis: The former club captain ended his career after 192 games. His career spanned across stints at Adelaide and the Giants. Davis was brought over to Western Sydney as the club's inaugural co-captain alongside Callan Ward, where he would eventually lead the expansion team to the 2019 AFL Grand Final.
Daniel Lloyd: The forward played 98 AFL games, including the 2019 Grand Final and 20 this year. Lloyd played his whole career with the Giants, repaying his debt to the club that selected a 24-year-old carpenter playing for Killarney.
Hawthorn
Max Lynch: The ruckman was forced into premature retirement after receiving medical recommendations as a result of repeated concussions. Over his career, he amassed nine concussions, ending his career after only 11 games between stints with Collingwood and Hawthorn.
Melbourne
Luke Dunstan: Dunstan spent the majority of his career at St Kilda where he played 117 games. He enjoyed notable success during his 12 games in 2019, where he earned 11 Brownlow votes. At the end of 2021, Dunstan made the move to the Demons where he only managed five games. His season and eventually his career came to an abrupt end after he tore his ACL while playing for Casey in a wildcard match against North Melbourne.
Michael Hibberd: Michael Hibberd played his final AFL game in the club's devastating loss to Collingwood in a qualifying final. The former Essendon player played 197 games in his career, 113 of those for Melbourne. Hibberd made an immediate impact for Melbourne upon his arrival in 2017, earning All-Australian honours for his efforts. Hibberd went on to play seven seasons for the club, including their premiership in 2021.
North Melbourne
Ben Cunnington: The two-time best and fairest winner played his farewell game in Round 22 after a career that spanned 238 games across 14 seasons. Cunnington was a solid leader throughout some rough years for North Melbourne, although he managed to play in a preliminary final.
Aaron Hall: The North veteran announced his retirement after 12 seasons across two clubs. Hall played 103 games and kicked 76 goals for Gold Coast between 2012 and 2018 before the move to Arden Street. Hall finished fourth in the club's best and fairest award in 2021 after a switch to the backline.
Jack Ziebell: The 276-game veteran announced his retirement this season after 15 years at North Melbourne. Despite never winning a best and fairest award, Ziebell will go down as one of the greatest clubmen the Roos have seen, especially after his captaincy efforts between 2017-2022.
Port Adelaide
Tom Jonas: The former captain announced his retirement after more than 200 games for Port Adelaide. Jonas was rewarded with captaincy in 2019 after showing loyalty to the club since he joined in 2011. His captaincy didn't quite go how he had hoped, missing out on selection almost all of the 2023 season. He'll hang up the boots at the end of the Power's premiership push this year.
Richmond
Jason Castagna: Premiership player Jason Castagna announced his shock retirement from the AFL prior to the season's start at the age of 26. The small forward played 134 games for the Tigers, including their three premiership wins since making his debut in 2016.
Trent Cotchin: Cotchin retired at the end of the 2023 season, drawing the curtain on one of the great Richmond careers. The former captain played his final match alongside Jack Riewoldt, wrapping up a spectacular career that spanned over 300 games. Cotchin made history by becoming Richmond's first triple premiership captain, winning three flags in four seasons. Cotchin also won three best and fairests and was awarded the 2012 Brownlow Medal.
Jack Riewoldt: Club legend Jack Riewoldt has also hung up the boots this season, having played his final game alongside his long-standing captain Trent Cotchin. The 34-year-old key forward kicked 787 goals from 347 AFL games across 17 years. The legendary goalkicker won three grand finals with the Tigers and won three Coleman Medals.
Robbie Tarrant: The former Kangaroo announced his retirement after 194 matches in the AFL. The No.15 pick in the 2007 draft, Tarrant played 174 games for the Kangaroos before moving to the Tigers at the end of the 2021 season.
St Kilda
N/A
Sydney
Lance Franklin: The 36-year-old informed his teammates after an injury against Essendon that his decorated career is over. Franklin will finish his career as the fourth-leading goalkicker in VFL/AFL history, behind only Tony Lockett, Gordon Coventry and Jason Dunstall after a memorable moment for his 1000th goal last season. Franklin will end his career with 1066 goals from 354 games, a best and fairest and four Coleman medals.
Tom Hickey: The ruckman announced his retirement after 13 years at the top level. Hickey played his 150th match against Melbourne on Sunday ahead of the finals series, where he'll see out the end of his career. Initially drafted to Gold Coast in 2010, Hickey moved to St Kilda and then West Coast before landing at the Swans in 2021. He's since played 47 games in Sydney and was a key part of the club's run to a grand final last year.
Paddy McCartin: After 63 AFL games at two clubs, Paddy McCartin announced his retirement due to concussion issues. McCartin was the former No.1 pick in the draft but failed to remain available for selection due to with repeated concussion issues. He then moved to Sydney where he would play 21 games, including a grand final loss. A final concussion earlier this season would be his last after receiving a medical recommendation to retire.
West Coast
Shannon Hurn: The former Eagles captain announced his retirement after 333 games with the club. Hurn was recruited from South Australia with pick No.13 in the 2005 National Draft, and quickly established himself as one of the team's premier defenders. Hurn was awarded captaincy between 2015-2019, a run that included the 2018 Grand Final win.
Luke Shuey: The Eagles' best and fairest announced his retirement at the end of the season after a series of hamstring injuries, but Shuey was fit enough to play in his final match against the Crows in Round 24. The club legend has earned selection 248 times for the Eagles and will be remembered as the hero on grand final day, earning the Norm Smith Medal during the 2018 premiership.
Nic Naitanui: Nic Naitanui has played his final game for the Eagles, ending a decorated 15-season career. Naitanui was contracted for 2024 but did not play at all this season due to an Achilles injury and managed just eight games in 2022 because of knee injuries. Naitnui will go down as an Eagles champion, earning three All-Australian selections across 213 games.
Western Bulldogsย
Josh Bruce: The former Giant and Saint announced his retirement following continuous struggles with a knee injury. The versatile Bruce earned selection eight times this year to bring his career tally to 163 across 13 seasons at three clubs, but had been sidelined with that knee injury since facing GWS in Round 20.
