Veteran Fremantle forward Sam Switkowski has announced his shock retirement at the age of 29, saying he is at peace with the decision despite the club's premiership window swinging wide open.
Switkowski, who has played 127 games since making his debut in 2018, will hang up his boots at the end of the season.
The classy small forward has kicked 12.13 from 22 games this year, with his pressure, elite skill and on-field leadership still highly valued within the squad.
Switkowski has battled several concussions across his career and his early days at Fremantle were plagued by back fractures.
But his decision to retire before the age of 30 - and with Fremantle just entering what looks to be a long premiership window - shocked even his teammates, who were informed on Wednesday afternoon.
In an emotional press conference shortly after addressing his teammates, Switkowski said he had been thinking about retirement for several months.
The pull to return home to Victoria was one he could no longer resist.
"I am ready for that next chapter of my life and I really want to get back to Melbourne to reconnect with my family and friends," Switkowski said.
"And I've got a baby boy coming any day now, and my wife and I just decided this was the right time for us to make that move for us as a family.
"I understand it's a shock for people that are hearing it for the first time, but I just feel really content with what I've done.
"I guess my priorities in life have just shifted now."
Switkowski considered joining a Melbourne-based club, and there was plenty of interest in him.
But the more he thought about it, the more he realised his heart wouldn't have been fully in it.
"I think it takes a lot to be an AFL footballer and I always have held myself to a high standard," Switkowski said.
"And I don't want to be a person that's just hanging onto a career for the sake of just a contract.
"I only wanted to commit to playing at a new club if I was all in and felt like I had a lot to give, and I just don't feel like that's where I'm at.
"It excites me more moving on to a new career or something different than trying to grind my way through just hanging on for a couple more years."
Switkowski said although his previous concussion scares and back issues had played a part in his decision, it wasn't the driving factor.
"It's been a bit of a grind to get through to 130 games or so," Switkowski said.
"I'm looking forward to being able to look after my health a little bit more, and my body."
Switkowski won't regret his decision even if Fremantle don't snare their maiden premiership this year, saying he is fully content with what he has achieved in his career.
"I'm at peace with the decision I've made," he said.
"We'd love a fairytale finish and we'd love to be there on the last day in September, but it actually doesn't change a hell of a lot for me.
"It would be a bit of a contradiction to put all my eggs in one basket to just think I'll only be satisfied if we win a flag this year."
Fremantle begin their finals campaign by hosting Hawthorn in a qualifying final on September 3 in Perth.