Sydney great Lance Franklin has informed teammates of his decision to call time on his career after 19 seasons.
Franklin, whose one-year contract was reaching its expiry at the conclusion of this season, injured his calf in Saturday's win over Essendon and faces no certainty of returning to the field in 2023.
Believed to be weighing up his future and considering retirement, Franklin has now made the decision to call time on his decorated career.
Franklin will retire at the end of the season, which will be with immediate effect given his injury status.
The 36-year-old has played 354 games since making his debut with Hawthorn in 2005, booting 1066 goals and winning four Coleman Medals.
Franklin was a two-time premiership player with Hawthorn before moving to Sydney ahead of the 2014 season, having signed a nine-year, $10 million deal.
โLance is an icon of the AFL and will go down as one of the greatest players to ever play this game,โ Swans CEO Tom Harley said.
โLance has that rare ability to transcend footy and has brought so much joy to fans for more than a decade now.
โHe is a champion and will leave a lasting legacy, not only at the Sydney Swans, but within the AFL and broader community.
โWe wish him, Jesinta, Tallulah and Rocky all the very best for the future. They will always hold a close place in the heart of our club.โ
The Perth product joined the Hawks as the fifth overall in the 2004 National Draft and would make his debut in Round 1 of the following season against Sydney.
Franklin would become the next and most recent player to kick 100 goals in a season in 2008 - the year he won his maiden premiership in the brown and gold.
The living legend kicked 580 goals in 182 games with the Hawks and would boot a further 486 goals as a Swan across 172 matches.
Franklin will end his career as an eight-time All-Australian - the equal most in league history - as well as a 13-time leading goalkicker at club level (seven with Sydney, six with Hawthorn).
