The decorated playing career of Sydney Swans champion Jarrad McVeigh will come to an end following the completion of the 2019 season.

The 34-year-old told his teammates this morning that this year will be his 17th and last at the top level.

Recruited with pick 5 in the 2002 Draft, McVeigh has played an instrumental role in Sydney’s recent success, which has seen the Swans play in 15 finals series, and five grand finals during his time in red and white.

Originally from the Central Coast in New South Wales, McVeigh has played 324 games so far – just one game shy of great mate Jude Bolton – and has kicked 200 goals.

While he missed out on a place in the 2005 Grand Final team and then suffered the heartbreak of a one-point Grand Final loss in 2006, McVeigh eventually tasted the ultimate success when he co-captained the Swans to a famous victory in the 2012 Grand Final.

A two-time Club Champion, All-Australian, dual International Rules player and Best Clubman, McVeigh will go down in the history books as one of the most decorated and influential Swans of all time.

Sydney coach John Longmire paid tribute to McVeigh’s extraordinary career.

“I was very fortunate to arrive at the club at the same time that a young curly haired Jarrad McVeigh was first drafted. To see him develop from a young player with talent into an elite AFL player and leader, has been a great privilege,” Longmire said.

“Jarrad has displayed the very best qualities that you could ever wish for in a player – he’s talented, a fierce competitor, selfless, a great decision maker, strong leader, elite trainer, has first-class football knowledge and he’s a fantastic teammate. Not to mention he’s a wonderful husband and loving dad.

“As a coach, I’m forever indebted to how he has played and led this club. He walked into my office in 2011 when I first took over as coach and said that he wanted to lead the club. He was appointed co-captain with Adam Goodes, and the next year stood on the stage absolutely exhausted on Grand Final day and held the Premiership cup aloft – achieving his dream. He then continued on to set a great example for every single player that pulled on the red and white jumper. Jarrad has simply made as large an impact on and off the field as any player that we have had through this successful period.

“In addition to his leadership with the team, Jarrad has been an extremely trusted confidante for many years. In 2020, we are very fortunate that Jarrad will join the Sydney Swans coaching panel where he will continue to have a major influence on the club’s next generation of young players.”

Jarrad McVeigh’s career highlights
DOB: April 7, 1985
Draft history: Pick 5, 2002 AFL Draft
Recruited from: NSW/ACT RAMS/Pennant Hills Demons
AFL Debut: Round 1, 2004 v Brisbane Lions
Player No. 1325 to appear for Sydney Swans/South Melbourne
First goal: Round 1, 2004 v Brisbane Lions
Swans Most Improved (2006)
Bob Skilton Medal (2008, 2013)
International Rules side (2010, 2014)
Sydney Swans co-captain (2011-2016)
AFL Premiership (2012)
All-Australian (2013)
Swans Players’ Player Award (2013)
Swans Best Player in Finals (2013)
Swans Best Clubman (2014)
Plays 300th game in Semi Final, 2017 v Geelong
AFL Games: 324 (202 wins, 4 draws, 118 losses)
28 finals games (7th of all-time, behind Michael Tuck with 39)
AFL Goals: 200