The Melrose 300-gamer made the switch to newly-created NPL1 team Murray United at the start of the season but has struggled with injuries.

Fluss is already part of the goalkeeping coaching staff and will now take a more permanent role in match day operations.

The 30-year-old said a combination of family, work and injuries had driven his decision.

“We have another child on the way, I’m working for myself and really struggling to come up week after week,” he said.

“It’s not one chronic injury just a sequence of niggles and on Saturday night I lost all power in my right knee — I just can’t do it any more.

“I don’t think it will sink in until the weekend arrives.

“I see my future in helping to develop some of the young guys we have coming through the keeping ranks.

“I want to take a more active role in that area and on game day.

“We have some great kids and they are the future of Murray United.”

His playing legacy as well as AWFA includes stints at the Victorian Institute of Sport, Australian Institute of Sport and Melbourne Knights in the Premier League.

Murray United senior coach Mick Richards talked Fluss into playing until the home game against Melbourne City after he initially planned to pull the pin three weeks ago.

“He has been a great keeper at AWFA level and really stepped up to help us out and play at this level,” he said.

“But in recent weeks he has been under siege and his body just can’t take it any more.

“He will now take a more active role in further developing our goalkeeping stocks with Ben Russell and Nathan Brown.

“Most of the Melbourne sides have four and five on the coaching staff but we are forced to shuffle it around — we share the responsibilities for the under-20s and seniors.”