Geelong skipper Joel Selwood has officially announced his retirement after 16 seasons and 355 games.
Selwood will depart the club as a four-time premiership player and legend of the game, picking up numerous accolades across his career including six All Australian selections.
The 34-year-old has surpassed the AFL record for most games as captain, most recently leading his team to their first premiership win in 11 years after a dominant season. Saturday's grand final marked Selwood's fourth premiership win, but his first as captain, a feat capping off a stellar career.
Speaking to media on Wednesday, Selwood confirmed 2022 was his last season in the game, reflecting on how he came to that decision.
“About six weeks ago, I decided this would be it. That I’d finish my playing days at the Geelong footy club win, lose or draw come the end of the year,” Selwood said.
“It was a decision made amongst my manager, who I wanted to catch up with before round 23. We then decided, as I got him to ask a few of the current players on the list - Mitch (Duncan), Tom Hawkins, Tom Stewart - over the year to just see how I’m going and if I should move on.
“I then touched base with Paddy Dangerfield to see how he thinks I’m going, just through background chats and they’re as loyal people as you would get. They all want me to play on. It’s not going to be the case.
“I went to Tommy and I decided we should speak to Hock (CEO Steve Hocking) and get his opinion. He said the same thing, it’s up to me whether I go on and I decided, out of that, that I could go probably at 85 per cent next year and everyone would look after me but I had to be all in and I just couldn’t do that.
“I’ve had such a fun year this year amongst the playing group, amongst this football club. Home life has been really good. Having a baby come February, which is exciting.
“And from there I had to go in and tell the coach on Friday morning before we played West Coast and I didn’t know that Hock hadn’t spoken to him so that was one of the toughest conversations I’ve had to do along with telling a few others but that Friday morning, I went in there and basically told him I was OK, I was OK with the decision that I’d come to with Hock and Tommy and he wasn’t too sure what I was talking about but I had to explain to him that I wouldn’t be continuing on next year.”
Geelong coach Chris Scott said Selwood was the "greatest player" he had ever seen while reflecting on his career.
“I said earlier this season leading into Joel’s 350th match that he is the greatest player I have seen, and I haven’t changed my mind,” Scott said.
“I feel so privileged to have worked with such a great captain and in terms of impact on a football club and support to a senior coach, I can’t think of anyone better.
“He’s an extraordinary player and has always prioritised others over individual achievements. I feel enormously proud and thankful to have been part of Joel Selwood’s career.”
