West Coast premiership defender Will Schofield will hang up the boots at the end of the 2020 season after 14 seasons at the club.
The 31-year old announced his retirement early on Friday in front of his teammates and will fall just short of the 200-game mark for his career, having played 194 to date.
Following Brad Sheppard's injury late in the 2018 season, Schofield played a huge role down back during the finals series, especially on Collingwood star Jordan De Goey in the Grand Final, which helped see the Eagles become premiers.
Schofield, taken at pick 50 in the 2006 draft, struggled to make his way into the Eagles team in his first three seasons before becoming a regular contributor from 2010.
With Jeremy McGovern, Tom Barrass and Brad Sheppard nailing down regular spots in the backline, Schofield found it tough to earn a consistent spot, but has still managed to play a decent amount despite the uprising of the current trio.
“There have been amazing moments and really difficult moments. I’ve had personal adversity while I’ve been here, I’ve lost a grand final and won one.”
Schofield
— West Coast Eagles (@WestCoastEagles) September 25, 2020
“I’ve never been an All Australian or a leadership group guy, but I’ve been a team player and have tried to play my role as best I can.”
Schofield
— West Coast Eagles (@WestCoastEagles) September 25, 2020
“I have been a fringe player. One of my better years, 2015, only became possible because we lost two guys with ACLs. Similar story in 2018.”
Schofield
— West Coast Eagles (@WestCoastEagles) September 25, 2020
“I’ve drawn as much happiness from my own success as I have from seeing younger guys develop and go past me. I’m just as proud watching them. I just love seeing guys succeed and win.”
Schofield
— West Coast Eagles (@WestCoastEagles) September 25, 2020
