AFL Chief Executive Officer Gillon McLachlan today said the AFL wished to thank Adam Goodes for his contribution to the game over the last 17 seasons.

Goodes announced to his teammates after last night’s semi final against North Melbourne at ANZ Stadium that he would draw a curtain on his stellar career which sees him as the game’s record-holder for indigenous players and inside the top 10 for all players in the game’s history.

Goodes’ 372-game career saw him win virtually every honour available to him, starting with the Rising Star in 1999 and going on to include two premierships, two Brownlow Medals and three club best and fairests. Mr McLachlan said his achievements on the field and his work among the community off the field had marked him as one of the game’s greatest contributors.

“Adam Goodes’ record as a great footballer speaks for itself.  There are few in our history with his legacy of football achievements, and he deserves his place as an all time great of the game. 

“Australian football is also fortunate to have had Adam’s leadership – the only person from our game ever named as Australian of the Year - a role model for all Australians, and a passionate advocate for equality for indigenous Australians.

“On behalf of the AFL Commission and the AFL community, I want to thank Adam for his playing career and his contribution to our game, and for his courage on and off the field,” Mr McLachlan said.