Sydney's AFL premiership ruckman Mike Pyke has announced his retirement on Twitter.
The giant Canadian on Friday afternoon posted a picture of his boots dangling from their laces on his locker in the Swans' SCG changeroom, a nod to the oft-cited practice of hanging up the boots.
The 31-year-old was expected to retire at season's end after a ground-breaking career of 110 AFL games.
Pyke, who represented Canada at the 2007 Rugby World Cup, was the first from his country to play AFL and won a premiership medal in Sydney's 2012 flag.
He first held a Sherrin at age 24 and, just four years later, was the grand final's dominant ruckman in a winning side, completing a remarkable journey to greatness in a foreign sport.
The Swans have already signed a replacement for the well-liked ruckman, bringing in 26-year-old ruckman Callum Sinclair during the trade window in exchange for wantaway speedster Lewis Jetta.
Share
