Sydney champion Adam Goodes has told his teammates it was time to retire and talked about his epic AFL journey.
Goodes announced his retirement following his 372nd game in the semi-final loss to North Melbourne on Saturday night.
The 35-year-old dual Brownlow Medallist kicked the first and last goals of the game, booting 2.2 and tallied 18 touches and ten marks in a solid swansong.
There was emotion in the Swans rooms, but Goodes didn't speak to the media after the game, nor did he make any obvious farewell gestures to the crowd.
"It's a bit of a shock, he's a champion of this footy club," said Swans' defender Rhyce Shaw, who had previously announced he was retiring at the end of the season.
"He's a champion of the AFL and one of the greatest people I've ever met."
Asked what Goodes said to his teammates, Shaw said "he said `it's his time', he's happy to bow out this way.
"He spoke about how it's been such a long journey for him, 18 years, coming up here and just giving it everything he's got.
"And 372 games later he's had enough and her's contributed so much to the footy club and to the AFL.
"He can go out whichever way he pleases.
"The time's right for Goodesy, that's all you can really say. He wanted to retire this way and he's done it and he deserves every accolade he gets."
Shaw was chaired off the field by his teammates after his 237th and final AFL game and would have liked Goodes to have been afforded a similar honour.
"It would have been fantastic for Goodesy to be up there with me, but he wanted to do it his own way," Shaw said.
Reactions to Adam Goodes' AFL retirement
"He's been an absolute icon to this footy club, 18 years, a couple of Brownlows, four All-Australians, he's been a superstar of the game." Sydney coach John Longmire
"I think he goes down as probably our greatest Swan," forrmer Swans forward Michael O'Loughlin.
"(Goodes and North Melbourne great Brent Harvey) have been both extraordinary athletes; enduring and resilient and we may not see their likes ever again," AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan.
"2 Brownlows, 2 flags, 3 B&F's, 4 AA's 372 games, 18 years at the elite level. Well played sir @adamroy37 you star #halloffamer" - Sydney and North Melbourne great Wayne Schwass.
"Had front row seats to see future HOF @adamroy37 play. Shared great times together. Premierships & footy trips. So proud of you brother." - Sydney premiership winner Jude Bolton.
"Its a bit of a shock, hes a champion of this footy club ... Hes a champion of the AFL and one of the greatest people Ive ever met." - fellow Swans retiree Rhyce Shaw.
"Well done on a wicked career @adamroy37 #oneofthegreats" - West Coast ruck Nic Naitanui.
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