Sydney co-captain Brett Kirk, one of the Border's greatest football exports, is to retire at the end of the 2010 AFL season.
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Kirk announced his decision at a press confernce in Sydney today.
The 33-year-old has played 225 games in a career that began in 1999, and he was a leader of the Swans’ 2005 premiership-winning team.
A self-made player renowned for his workrate in the absence of any stand-out “weapon”, Kirk has been widely admired as one of the best taggers in the game, also earning plaudits for his leadership of Sydney.
Kirk, who was drafted from North Albury in 1998 as a 22-year-old after starring for the Hoppers in the O and M's interleague side, said the thought of retirement only crossed his mind in the past fotnight.
"I’m someone who has played with my heart, led with my heart, and this is a decision that has come from the heart," Kirk said today.
"The reason I’m announcing it now is because I started to have thoughts about it over the last week or two.
"I was resisting it, and it was causing me stress and pain, so I need to listen to my intuition."
Sydney Swans chairman Richard Colless heaped praise glowing upon Kirk.
"In the 136 years of the club's existence, it's hard to believe that there would have been too many people - not just players - who have made a greater contribution to the fabric of our organisation," Colless said.
THE KIRK FILE
Sydney Swans Club Champion, 2005 and 2007
Runner-up in Club Champion, 2003, 2004, 2006 and 2008
Sydney Swans Player of the Finals Series, 2006
Sydney Swans Co-Captain since 2005
All-Australian, 2004
International Rules 2003, 2004
