Oft-maligned Hawthorn ruck-forward Ty Vickery has announced his AFL retirement, despite having another year to run on his contract.
The 27-year-old played only six senior games in his single season with the Hawks after moving from Richmond as a free agent.
"It hasn't been an easy call to make," Vickery said in a statement.
"Football has been a huge part of my life, but I don't have the same passion for the game that I once did.
"The break gave me a real chance to think about the future and solidified that I'm ready for the next chapter of my life.
"To have the freedom to travel and explore other opportunities away from football is something I'm really looking forward to."
The 200cm Vickery was selected by Richmond with pick eight in the 2008 draft.
He booted 158 goals in 119 games for the Tigers without ever consistently delivering on his early promise.
Three years ago he was heavily criticised for striking West Coast counterpart Dean Cox in the jaw, an act which saw Vickery suspended for four weeks.
The Tigers received a second-round compensation draft pick when Vickery crossed to Hawthorn at the end of the 2016 season on a lucrative two-year deal.
But he never hit his straps at his second AFL club and spent most of the season in the VFL.
Vickery was also back in the headlines for the wrong reasons in July when he and former teammate Jake King were arrested as part of an extortion investigation.
Vickery was not charged.
But King was in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday where he indicated he would contest allegations, including making threats to kill.
Hawthorn general manager of football operations Jason Burt said Vickery had approached club officials to discuss his playing future.
"The end-of-season break gave Ty an opportunity to think about where he was at and has solidified his desire to experience life away from footy," Burt said.
"A big part of that is having more privacy and being able to spend time with his wife (tennis player Arina Rodionova).
"While it's disappointing, the club completely understands Ty's position and is grateful for the open and honest approach he has taken over the last couple of weeks."
