Numerous Sydney Swans identities have paid tribute to retiring 2005 premiership captain Barry Hall who announced his retirement from AFL football this afternoon.

Hall played 162 games in eight years at the Swans, and sits third on the Club’s all-time leading goalkickers list with 467.

Hall, who will retire at the end of the season, will return to the SCG for the last time this weekend as part of a Western Bulldogs team that has won four of its past five games.

"I certainly did a lot in Sydney and I owe the fans a goodbye I think, even though we're against them on the weekend," Hall said today.

Here’s what the Swans had to say:

Sydney Swans coach John Longmire

"He was here for seven years, a two-time All Australian, premiership captain, a magnificent contributor to the Sydney Swans. He's still got a lot of friendships here with a lot of people and we can't speak highly enough of his contribution to this footy club.

"It's really nice he's able to come back here to the SCG, knowing he's going to retire at the end of the year, play here for the last time and say goodbye to a lot of the supporters that really were supportive of him for a long period of time at the club.

"I think the way that he's handled himself at the Bulldogs and the way that he's played has been fantastic. It's great to see him retire on the note that he wanted to retire on.

"When he left the Swans it was obviously difficult for him and for the football club. I think it's a credit to him how he's gone about it the last couple of years at the Bulldogs and now he retires on his own terms and moves into the next phase of his life satisfied with a fantastic career."

"His on-field stuff was pretty good for the majority of the time and I think that's what everyone needs to remember. At the Sydney Swans for a long period of time he was a really disciplined, hard-working player.

"He was a great fella to have around a football club, he's very entertaining, he's funny, he can mix with all levels of people and ultimately he's a good bloke."

Jude Bolton

“To me, Barry Hall’s had just an unbelievable career. I used to barrack for St. Kilda as a kid, so I watched him in the ’97 grand final and then got to play alongside him. You stand ten-foot tall when you’ve got him in your forward line. He certainly helped us get to two grand finals, and instilled the work ethic that a lot of the guys have today around the club.”

Ryan O’Keefe

“He’s been a great mate, a great teammate. It’s an honour that I was able to play him, with someone who has had such an influence on AFL. He’s had a pretty good career and some pretty good memories. I wish him all the best in the next phase of his life and hope it all goes well for the big guy.”

Tadhg Kennelly

“Barry was a great bloke, a great team player. Loved getting on with the boys, loved taking the mick. The mick was taken more of him. He’s looking extremely pasty and white the last two years in Melbourne looking for the sun. It’s something he hasn’t worked on, he needs to get back in the solarium.  Now he’s engaged I suppose he’s pretty happy with where he’s at, the big man.”

Michael O'Loughlin

"He was the complete package. Big, strong, quick, great endurance for a big guy and obviously he could play a little bit too. He was a great player, had that mixture of class, aggression and obviously an integral part of the team.

"If you didn't know him he was a pretty shy guy to get to know, but loved to laugh, loved taking the mickey out of teammates and a real players' player I suppose. He loved locker-room humour, but as soon as he got out on the track he was all about work and setting a good example.

"People have to remember he's kicked over 700 goals, which is an amazing feat, and I really hope people remember how good a player he was and not all the other crap.

"It's fair to say we wouldn't have won a premiership without him. When he was up and going he was certainly one of the best. We formed a really good partnership he and I and we knew each other's strengths and weaknesses and complemented each other well."

Leo Barry (on SEN)

"He came to Sydney with a pretty big reputation for some of his off-field and on-field issues, but without doubt I was lucky enough to play alongside Hally through his glamour years. That period we had between 2003 and 2007 was a fantastic era and I think Hally made three or four All Australian teams through that era.

"He was one of the strongest leaders and one of the icons of our club through that period ... we were fortunate to get the best football out of Hally and his influence on the club was enormous. He'll always be remembered as an integral part of our successful era."

Lewis Roberts-Thomson

“He’s a great team member, a fantastic mentor, a wonderful player and I certainly learnt a lot from him throughout my career and formed a great friendship with him. He’s a wonderful player with a huge amount of respect from the rest of the competition. He’s very, very professional in his approach to playing the game of AFL.”