Maligned Hawthorn big man, Ty Vickery has announced his retirement from AFL football.
Vickery played just one season at the Hawks, managing six senior games after joining the club at the end of 2016 as a free agent on a two-year deal. He played 119 games with Richmond from 2009 to 2016, after being recruited with the No.8 pick in the 2008 National Draft.
The 27-year-old will explore opportunities outside of football.
“It hasn’t been an easy call to make,” Vickery told Hawthornfc.com.au.
“Football has been a huge part of my life, but I don’t have the same passion for the game that I once did.
“The break gave me a real chance to think about the future and solidified that I’m ready for the next chapter of my life.
“To have the freedom to travel and explore other opportunities away from football is something I’m really looking forward to and a big part of my decision.
“I’d like to thank Hawthorn and Richmond Football Club for all the support and opportunities over my career.
“I’ve been blessed to play at two great clubs and I’ll leave the game with a lot of close mates and great memories.”
Hawthorn's General Manager of Football Operations Jason Burt thanked the former Tiger for his contribution in 2017.
“Ty came to us and we had a really open discussion about his future and the best decision for him going forward,” Burt said.
“Having spent the last two years playing predominantly at a VFL level, Ty’s passion for footy isn’t as strong as it once was.
“The end of season break gave Ty an opportunity to think about where he was at and has solidified his desire to experience life away from footy. A big part of that is having more privacy and being able to spend time with his wife.
“While it’s disappointing, the club completely understands Ty’s position and is grateful for the open and honest approach he has taken over the last couple of weeks.
“We thank Ty for his contribution to Hawthorn and wish him and Arina all the best for the future.”