Image: AAP
Much-loved Sydney defender Nick Smith will hang up the boots.
Smith, who has missed the season with serious hamstring complications that started late last season, has called time on a 13-year career.
The 31-year-old was an All-Australian in 2014 and won a premiership with the Swans in 2012, becoming one of the most reliable lockdown defenders of his era across a 211-game career.
“From the moment Nick arrived at the Sydney Swans, we knew we had a special person,” coach John Longmire said.
“Nick was a master of the small defender role. For over a decade at selection we just placed Nick’s name up on the whiteboard next to some of the best small-to-medium forwards that have ever played our game: Steve Johnson, Eddie Betts, Toby Greene, Robbie Gray, Stephen Milne, Luke Breust, Mark LeCras are some that come to mind.
"And who could forget his battles on the biggest home-and-away and finals stages with his old ex-school mate Cyril Rioli."
The Swans are looking at ways to keep Smith involved in the game in some capacity.