Richmond ruckman Sam Naismith has called time on his AFL career after a decade in the top flight with the Tigers and Sydney.
Naismith's decision was confirmed on Wednesday, with the 32-year-old bringing an end to his 33-game spell.
The New South Wales product endured a luckless run with injuries during his time with both Richmond and Sydney, suffering a trio of knee reconstructions during his nine years with the Swans before sustaining another season-ending knee injury midway through his only year at Punt Road.
Naismith earned an AFL lifeline with the Tigers ahead of this season after a dominant year with VFL club Port Melbourne, who he played for following his delisting at the Swans at the end of the 2022 season.
“After this year, I'm going to be hanging them up,” Naismith told his teammates.
“I have only been here at Richmond for such a short time, but this has been the best year of my football career.
“I have enjoyed so much about this group here and how it has made me feel. It has been one of the most fulfilling and rewarding opportunities to come in here and work with you guys and represent the club, and be able to come back and actually play AFL footy again.
“It is probably something that when I was at my lowest of lows, that I did not really think was achievable.
“Coming in here and being supported by this group. It is a pretty special place.”
Despite his limited time playing in the AFL, Naismith still managed to play in six finals matches, including the 2016 decider for Sydney against the Western Bulldogs.
He featured in all four finals for the Swans that year and played in the club's elimination and semi-final clashes the year after.
Naismith played three games for the Tigers in 2024, his most recent coming in Round 8 against Fremantle.
His decision to retire follows the departures of club great Dustin Martin and Dylan Grimes this year also.
