West Coast veteran Michael Braun announced on Monday he will be retiring from AFL football at the end of this season.
While unable to nominate which match would be his last for the club, the 30-year-old premiership midfielder said ongoing problems with his knee and inconsistent form throughout 2008 had forced him to make a decision on his future.
Braun added that he hated to leave the club in a lurch while it was struggling at the wrong end of the ladder, but said he knew it was almost time to hang up the boots.
"Reaching this decision has been tough, the toughest decision of my life." said Braun.
"After playing 222 games, my mind keeps telling me to push harder and faster but my body is not always responding the way I'd like."
"Because this club and this great game has meant so much to me, it has been difficult to reach this decision, but I know the time has come and I know I can leave it after getting every bit of energy and skill out of my body."
"I've never been the most talented or gifted player, but I believe I have made up for that with my work ethic ... that has allowed to run hard for four quarters and perform my role for the team."
"I hope everyone associated with the club is proud of the way I have gone about my football," he said.
After being the second-highest possession winner for the club during 2007, Braun said injuries and poor form had snuck up on him quickly.
"Last year after the finals series, I thought I was playing some pretty good football and the knee was going pretty well," said Braun.
"And, I had the clean up (at the end of 2007) and then obviously had a bit of a setback earlier in the year and it does sneak up on you quick, the game gets faster, gets more demanding and I think at 30-years of age and after 14 operations (it was time to call it a day)."
Braun, however, felt he could leave the game satisfied after being part of the Eagles 2006 premiership team, especially after missing the 2005 grand final through injury.
"When I stood up in front of the players, the week leading up to the grand final and said I was going to be missing the grand final, I thought that was the toughest day," said Braun.
"But, I just spoke to the players just then and I think that topped it off. It was very difficult down there but I've always been a believer, if you put the hard work in and things pay off, and we got to the grand final the next year and won it so I'm very proud of that," he said.
Eagles coach John Worsfold said the club would not make a decision on Braun's final game until later in the year as he was still needed to assist the new crop of midfielders coming through at the club.
The coach praised Braun's work ethic, describing the work he did to recover from operations and be fit for football as inspiring.
Braun has played 222 games for the Eagles in a career which started in 1997.