West Coast Eagles captain Luke Shuey has called time on his decorated AFL career, claiming that his battles with injury had forced him into a decision.
Shuey will bow out as one of only two Eagles to have captained the club, won a premiership and also earned Norm Smith Medal honours, a feat the midfielder achieved in 2018, joining Chris Judd in the exclusive club.
The 33-year-old skipper will join his former captain, Shannon Hurn, in calling it quits, with the pair to play out the year before handing the baton over at Lathlain ahead of the 2024 season.
Speaking on Tuesday, Shuey expressed that while he was keen to play on for a 16th season, his body just simply wouldn't allow him to.
โAs much as my mind wants to go on, my body won't allow it and I have made the decision to retire at the end of this season,โ Shuey said by way of a club statement.
โWe have tried everything to get my body right so I can contribute as I would like, but unfortunately a series of hamstring injuries have led me to this decision."
Since the dawn of the 2020 season, the two-time club champion has featured in just 46 fixtures, with an array of soft tissue injuries leaving him routinely stranded on the sidelines.
And despite departing during the Eagles' lowest ebb, Shuey believed that he would be leaving the club in good hands.
โI also have great confidence in the senior players who will take the club forward to guide an exciting group of youngsters," he added.
โWe are at an important phase of the rebuild, we'll bring in more talented youngsters in this year's draft and I know I will enjoy seeing them all make their mark on the competition in the coming years."
Head coach Adam Simpson paid praise to the hard-nosed ball-winner, stressing that Shuey's leadership had had a doubtlessly positive effect on those under his tutelage.
โLuke has been a remarkable player for our club, but he has also been a wonderful role model and leader,โ Simpson said.
โWe have seen that impact even this year when he has been able to play but unfortunately, he has not been able to get out there as often as he would have liked.
"He has driven high standards throughout his career and has certainly provided a great example right from the get-go for the young players who will be the future.
"He will always be a great of the club and we look forward to celebrating his contribution over the closing weeks of the season."
While currently sidelined for another week with a hamstring complaint, should Shuey return for West Coast's final two fixtures against the Western Bulldogs (A) and Adelaide (H), the veteran would cement himself in 12th position for games played as an Eagle, finishing just one shy of the 250 mark.
