Essendon's Chris Heffernan and Scott Camporeale have announced their retirements from senior football.

Premiership midfielder Heffernan made the decision after talking to new Essendon coach Matthew Knights, saying he thought it was time to hang up the boots as senior opportunities would be limited in 2008.

"I understand Matthew has to make some difficult decisions if he is to get the club moving in the right direction," Heffernan said.

"I consider myself extremely lucky to have played at Essendon - given the draft you could end up playing anywhere. This club has great support and I have enjoyed my time immensely and made some great friends."

Part of the Bomber's unstoppable 2000 Premiership line-up, Heffernan made his debut for Essendon in 1997 after being selected in the 1996 Draft.

He also played in Essendon's losing 2001 Grand Final side before being traded to Melbourne at the end of 2002. However, the midfielder struggled to recapture his best form at the Demons although he did enjoy a solid 2004 season before missing the finals through suspension.

He played 170 games of AFL football - including 123 games for the Bombers - and kicked 56 goals.

Bombers' coach Knights, had plenty of time to see Heffernan in action, having coached him at the Bendigo Bombers, and said that Heffernan was an unselfish, team player.

"This year he played a lot with Bendigo and he had an important mentoring role on match day and never let the fact he wasn't playing in the Essendon seniors affect how he went about his game."

Thirty-two-year-old Camporeale, meanwhile, has also decided to call it a day following 19 games with the Bombers over the last two seasons since crossing from Carlton at the end of 2005.

Camporeale made his debut for the Blues as part of another all-conquering side in 1995 and earned a Premiership medallion in his first year.

The damaging midfielder formed a superb partnership with Anthony Koutoufides, especially in 2000 when he was awarded All-Australian honours as Carlton looked to be Essendon's primary challenger for the Premiership that season. However, over his last few years at the Blues, his form trailed off significantly in conjunction with that of his club's.

Ironically, his best match for the Bombers this season was against his former club where he collected 35 possessions but the following week against Richmond, he injured his knee and was forced to undergo a reconstruction.

"I really enjoyed the move across to Essendon and I