Collingwood v Sandringham - VFL Elimination Final
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 30: Jack Hellier of Collingwood gathers the ball during the VFL Elimination Final match between Collingwood and Sandringham at Victoria Park on August 30, 2014 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

Collingwood VFL captain Jack Hellier has announced his retirement from state football and is heading to bush to join Goulburn Valley League side Euroa, as reported by The Herald Sun.

The 32-year old played over 100 VFL games at the Pies and was named captain of the club in 2014 up until his retirement.

He only played four games in 2019 as he battled groin injuries and was set to go ahead as captain in 2020 before the season was put on the shelf.

Hellier came to Collingwood’s VFL club via St Bedes Mentone in the VAFA ahead of the 2012 VFL season.

He had a hand in the Tigers’ iconic Premier A and B premierships, coached by Western Bulldogs’ current coach Luke Beveridge.

Hellier told The Leader’s Paul Amy that with a couple of factors in place, his time had come to an abrupt end.

“It’s a little bit too hard with the new structure of the VFL and how it’s looking, I’ve got a young family now, a little fella, who’s eight months old now,” Hellier told The Herald Sun. 

“So unfortunately it’s come to a bit of a halt, which is not what I really wanted – I wanted to go again, finish on a good note.”

The decision to go play in the bush had been something that has lingered in the mind of Hellier for quite some time.

“A couple of my mates have done it and I’ve gone and watched them and the atmosphere and the support in the towns tick all the boxes,” he said.

“It’s a lot of fun. I’m really looking forward to it.”