North Melbourne veteran and Hawthorn premiership player Liam Shiels has called time on his AFL career.

The Kangaroos confirmed the 33-year-old's decision on Tuesday, with Shiels bringing a close to his successful career after one final match this weekend.

North Melbourne will face Hawthorn in Tasmania on Saturday, which will be Shiels' 288th game at the top level.

It will be a fitting affair for the Eastern Ranges product, who spent the majority of his career in the brown and gold.

Shiels was rafted to Hawthorn in 2008 and would go on to play 255 games for the club, including a place in the Hawks' 2013, 2014 and 2015 premierships.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 18: Liam Shiels and Alastair Clarkson, Senior Coach of the Kangaroos celebrate during the 2023 AFL Round 01 match between the North Melbourne Kangaroos and the West Coast Eagles at Marvel Stadium on March 18, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The wingman announced his retirement at the end of the 2022 season but would soon return to the AFL via a reunion with former coach Alastair Clarkson at Arden Street.

Shiels has played 32 games for the Roos across his two years with the club.

"I've been lucky enough to do what I love for the last 16 years and I'm so grateful for the opportunity to play out my last couple of years at the North Melbourne Football Club,โ€ Shiels said in a statement.

"I always thought I'd be a one-club player, but I'll always be proud to have finished my football here. As much as I hoped I could have done more to put more wins on the board, these have been some of the most fulfilling years I've had.

"To the North Melbourne Football Club. I've only been here two years but it feels like I've been here much longer. I've made some lifelong friends which I'm so grateful for. Thank you for the opportunity.

"To the Hawthorn Football Club. You gave me my first opportunity when you drafted me as a school kid at the end of 2008. I was lucky enough to achieve the ultimate success three times over. I couldn't have asked for anything more.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 21: Liam Shiels of the Hawks celebrates a goal during the 2019 AFL round 18 match between the Geelong Cats and the Hawthorn Hawks at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on July 21, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

"And to โ€˜Clarko'. You've backed me in from day dot. You nicknamed me โ€˜Pup' when I was 17 and you've made sure I've squeezed as much out of myself as possible and then some more.

"I wouldn't be in the position I am today without your guidance, care and support. I have loved playing for you and I have learned so much off you about the game but more importantly about life and this has made me a better person, husband and now father."

Shiels will bid farewell to Kangaroos and Hawthorn supports on Saturday at UTAS Stadium in Round 24.

 2024-08-24T02:30:00Z 
 
 
UTAS
HAW   
170
FT
46
   NMFC