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Matt Priddis announces retirement

Published by
Ben Pahor

West Coast star Matt Priddis has announced he will retire from AFL football at the end of the season.

Priddis, who made the announcement on Thursday afternoon AEST, opted to call time on his career, despite signing a one-year contract extension earlier this year.

The 32-year-old has played 235 games with West Coast since making his debut in 2006.

He is also the AFL's all time leading tackler, with 1,587.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 22: Matt Priddis of the West Coast Eagles poses with the 2014 Brownlow Medal at the 2014 Brownlow Medal Dinner at Crown Palladium on September 22, 2014 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Priddis is a club best and fairest winner, a two-time Ross Glendinning Medalist, an All-Australian and a Brownlow Medalist.

"This is an amazing organisation. It was a childhood dream to be able to play for this team," Priddis said.

"I've been so lucky to play for 12 years. I've made the most of everything. I've treated each season like it's my last.

"There's a number of reasons (to retire) from list management, to my form, to my role going forward.

"I put my own hand up and say I can't make enough of a contribution to the team in the forward line.

"Speed is probably something that is one of the most important things up there.

"This is my call. I know it's the right decision."

West Coast face an uphill battle to cement a spot in the final eight this season, currently sitting ninth on the ladder, with nine wins and eight losses, with five rounds left in the regular season.

Meanwhile, fellow West Coast veteran, Sam Mitchell is also reportedly set to hang up the boots at season's end.

Published by
Ben Pahor