Sydney Swans premiership player Nick Smith has called time on his stellar career after 13 years at the elite level.

The ever-reliable defender tore his hamstring tendon off the bone in Sydney’s clash with Melbourne in Round 21 last year and has suffered numerous setbacks in his bid to return to the field.

After three rounds of surgery – the latest in June – it remained unclear if Smith’s body would hold up to playing consistently again at AFL level. Therefore, the difficult decision was made to hang up the boots.

Originally from Melbourne where he played football with Scotch College and the Oakleigh Chargers, Smith joined the Swans as a rookie in 2006.

The ultimate professional and a team-first footballer, Smith worked his way off the rookie list to become arguably the league’s best small defender.

Between 2011 and 2018, Smith played 182 games, claiming a premiership in 2012 and All Australian honours (2014). He represented Australia in the International Rules series (2014, 2015), was recognised with the Swans’ Best Clubman Award (2012) and he won the club’s Rising Star Award (2009). He was also a key member of the Sydney Swans leadership group from 2012, which saw the team compete in three grand finals.

In Round 9 last year, Smith became just the 32nd player in Sydney Swans history to reach 200 AFL games.

Sydney coach John Longmire said Smith has always been completely selfless, both on and off the field.

“From the moment Nick arrived at the Sydney Swans, we knew we had a special person,” 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.

“There is no lonelier place to be than inside defensive 50m playing on these talents. Yet Nick’s strength of mind to overcome the biggest challenges was second to none. It’s a wonder that he ever slept on a Friday night!

“The Nick Smith that we all know behind closed doors is much, much more than this. Nick is highly respected by coaches and peers alike. First elected into the club’s leadership group in 2012, he is the epitome of what the Bloods are about. And for us, that’s as great a compliment as there is.”

The Swans and Smith are exploring opportunities for him to remain involved in the game in some capacity.

Nick Smith’s career highlights

DOB: June 12, 1988
Draft history: Pick 15, 2007 Rookie Draft
Recruited from: Scotch College/Oakleigh Chargers
AFL debut: Round 5, 2008 v Geelong Cats
Player no. 1346 to appear for Sydney Swans/South Melbourne
First goal: Round 15, 2008 v Hawthorn
Joint Swans Rising Star with Jesse White (2009)
Swans Most Improved (2011)
Swans Best Clubman (2012)
AFL premiership (2012)
All Australian (2014)
International Rules side (2014, 2015)
Plays 200th AFL game in Round 9, 2018 v Fremantle
AFL games: 211 (135 wins, 2 draws, 74 losses)