Sydney Swans ruckman Tom Hickey has announced he will retire from the AFL at the end of the 2023 season following stints with four clubs.
Hickey first joined the league as a Queensland zone selection for the Gold Coast Suns through the 2010 National Draft, with the Brisbane-born ruckman making his debut the following year against Adelaide late into his maiden season at Carrara.
Hickey would play another ten games the year after in what would be his final year with Gold Coast, with Hickey soon requesting a trade to Victoria and finding a new home with St Kilda.
The Morningside junior would play 67 games in the red, white and black across six seasons before being traded to West Coast at the conclusion of the 2018 season.
After joining the premiers, Hickey would find his feet in his first season in Western Australia, playing an equal career-high 20 games in 2019, where he would also play in his first final.
2020 would see Hickey limited to just three matches before a move to Sydney eventuated, with the 32-year-old managing to play the best football of his career.
Hickey would be pivotal in the Swans' rise in 2021 and 2022, helping lead John Longmire's side to a grand final finish last year.
After three seasons and 47 games with the Bloods, Hickey has decided this season will be his last in the league.
On Tuesday afternoon, the Swans ruckman spoke on his decision to hang up the boots at the season's conclusion.
“I'm so grateful to have been on this incredible journey,” Hickey said.
“When I first got drafted, I saw myself playing four years and trying to get one game. Here I am leaving 13 years later with almost 150 games, and hopefully a few more, under my belt.
“People talk about the great culture of the Swans, and every part of it rings true. This is a really special club filled with great people across all the departments.
“I love that I will be finishing up my career as a Swan, my family will be a Swans family for life.”
This weekend's meeting with Melbourne will be Hickey's 150th game in the competition since his Suns debut, with the Swans tall set to add a few games to his career tally as Sydney look to make a play for the premiership.
With the Swans having booked their finals spot for 2023, one last run for a flag is on the cards for Hickey.
