Veteran AFL umpire Shaun Ryan has today confirmed his retirement at the end of the 2020 season.

Ryan made his debut in 2003 and has officiated 346 games to date, including 38 finals.

The 45-year old first retired after the 2011 season, having umpired five consecutive grand finals from 2008 - 2011, including the 2010 Grand Final draw.

He then returned to umpiring in 2015 and went on to officiate the 2017-2019 Grand Finals.

To be involved in so many amazing games and, most of all, to do it with the most amazing group humans โ€“ it has been a huge privilege

- Shaun Ryan

"Like a lot of Warrnambool kids growing up, the dream was to play AFL football. I worked out pretty quickly that wasnโ€™t going to happen," Ryan toldย AFL Media.ย 

"Umpiring gave me the opportunity to be involved with the greatest sport at the highest level.

"To be honest, my overall feeling is gratitude. To be given the opportunity to umpire AFL football, to be involved in so many amazing games and, most of all, to do it with the most amazing group humans โ€“ it has been a huge privilege."