Hawthorn have wasted little time beginning the regeneration of the oldest premiership team in AFL history, calling time on the careers of triple flag-winning stars Brian Lake and David Hale.
Lake, 33, would like to have played on for one more year.
But with the Hawks looking to rejuvenate an ageing squad, the key defender understood why coach Alastair Clarkson decided it was time to look to the future as the club look to emulate the famed Collingwood "machine" team of 1927-30 which won four straight premierships.
"I would have loved to have kept going, but always things have to come to an end," said Lake.
"I'm happy with that.
"I've come to terms with it now and I'm looking forward to enjoying food and a few beers and not stressing about coming back for pre-season in good shape."
Lake will not seek a move to a third AFL club.
Ruckman Hale, 31, had been expected to hang up the boots after Saturday's decider, in which he ended wearing the red substitute's vest.
Lake played 251 games with the Western Bulldogs and Hawthorn while Hale's career included 237 matches with North Melbourne and the Hawks.
Clarkson paid tribute to the departing duo.
"This club's had to retire some very, very decorated players over the journey and it's nearly the most difficult part of your job," Clarkson said.
"It's always really tough to be involved in coaching and put an end to some careers, in a sense.
"But these guys made a great contribution - it's very rare in footy that players get to go out on a really good note like this."
The Hawks have a ready-made replacement for Hale in Jonathan Ceglar, who was somewhat unlucky to miss out on the 2014 and 2015 grand final teams, with Clarkson preferring Hale and Ben McEvoy as his ruck combination.
Lake could be harder to replace, with his peerless ability to take intercept marks in defence again on show in the big win over the Eagles last Saturday.
"They've been excellent for us, Lakey grabbed the Norm Smith Medal two years ago and Haley has been with us for five or six years," said captain Luke Hodge.
"You have blokes like that you want to keep around the footy club but unfortunately with their body, or it's time to move on and it's a sad day."
Four other members of Hawthorn's 2015 flag-winning team are also aged over 30 - Hodge, Shaun Burgoyne, Josh Gibson and Sam Mitchell - while Jordan Lewis turns 30 in April.
All are expected to play on in 2016.
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