Carlton champion Chris Judd has announced his immediate retirement from AFL football.

The dual Brownlow medallist ruptured the ACL in his left knee during Carlton’s nine point loss to Adelaide on Saturday afternoon after landing awkwardly in a marking contest.

Judd told a packed media conference on Tuesday morning that the injury meant that the time had come to announce his retirement from the game.

“I’m here to announce my retirement from AFL football,” Judd said to open the press conference.

Judd was typically measured and eloquent in his speech, ensuring he thanked everyone involved in his brilliant career.

“I won’t lose sight of just how fortunate I have been to play for two wonderful clubs.

“I’d like to start by thanking the current Carlton playing group, in what has been a challenging year.

“To all the players I have played with over the journey at Carlton and West Coast, I would like to thank them for being my teammates.

The former Carlton captain went on to thank the fans, his player manager, Paul Connors, his wife Bec and all of the coaches he has played under.

Judd ended by thanking the Adelaide fans who stood and applauded as he left the arena on Saturday.

“To be shown that level of respect as I got carried off the ground was incredible,” Judd said.

His address ended with a rapturous applause from the media, before taking questions.

Judd said that once he went down, he knew immediately that his career was over.

“Not for a second did I think I was going to play footy again when it (the ACL) was confirmed.”

“You don’t get to write your ending unfortunately, but I’ve had a special 14 years.

He also said that it was “clearly the wrong decision to go on. But it was very much made for the right reasons. My motives were pure.”

“I knew the end was coming but the way it ended caught me off guard.

Judd said that the 2006 Premiership win stood “head and shoulders above the rest” as a highlight of his career.

When asked if he would pursue a career in the media, Judd said it was not something he would consider.

Judd won two Best and Fairest awards for West Coast and three for Carlton in his 279 game career.

He is a six-time All-Australian, two-time AFLPA MVP, two-time Brownlow Medallist, a Norm Smith Medallist and Premiership captain.