The 33-year-old, who has played 321 games since making his debut for the Swans in 1999, confirmed today that he will retire once the club’s 2013 season comes to an end this September.
“It was a pretty tough decision to make and was just one of those things that I’ve been thinking about for a while,” Bolton told SwansTV.
“I sat down with John Longmire and Andy Ireland at the end of last year and a lot of people said to me that the perfect way to go was after a premiership, but I still felt like I had plenty to give.
“I think it’s been vindicated with the way I’ve played out this season and, I obviously missed on the weekend, but it just feels like the right time at the moment and there is still a bit of footy to play which is exciting.
Bolton sat down with his Swans’ team mates after lunch on Monday to inform them of his decision before confirming to a mass of media, players and Swans’ staff members that this would be his final year of football.
Bolton said he was happy to leave the game on his terms and now hoped that the club’s younger players could vie his position in the side.
“You don’t ever want to get the tap on the shoulder as a player and have someone say ‘Look, your form is not good enough’,” he said.
“I know the brutal reality is that it’s the footy lifecycle and it’s just exactly the same way I pushed into the side as a young player, and I expect all of our young guys to really be pushing to take my spot.
“I had to think about whether 12 months down the track whether I’d be in the best team and whether my body would be able to hold up for another season of footy, so there were a few things like that.
“I just wanted to make sure I finished on my own terms and really go out and enjoy it.”
Bolton, who played his 300th game in last year’s preliminary final against Collingwood at ANZ Stadium, is ranked second in the Swans games tally behind long-time team mate Adam Goodes.
Renowned as one of the competition’s toughest competitors, Bolton retires as is the AFL’s leading tackler, with 1467 tackles across his 15-year AFL career.
Bolton set an AFL record for tackles in a match, when he notched up 19 tackles against West Coast in round 3, 2011. He also shares the record for most contested possessions in a game with Chris Judd, after he gathered 28 contested touches in the rain against Essendon in round 11, 2010.
Reflecting on his 15-year AFL career, Bolton said the highlights have been the two premierships, but added that another thrill was playing alongside some of the Swans’ greats including Paul Kelly, Tony Lockett and Adam Goodes.
“To play alongside some of the greats, and when you have a long-spanning career, I think back to when I broke into the side and played half-forward and forward pocket and I had Paul Kelly running out of the middle kicking the ball down to me or to Plugger and those sorts of guys,” he said.
“I got to play alongside Micky O’Loughlin, Adam Goodes, Brett Kirk and then also now guys like Jarrad McVeigh and Ryan O’Keefe and those sorts of guys.
“I’ve been blessed and it’s been a long career and I’ve enjoyed every moment of it.”
The much-loved Swan said he felt he would be leaving the Swans in a much better position than when he arrived as a teenager in 1998.
Bolton said the Swans were now one of the most respected clubs in the AFL, and one young footballers from all over the country aspired to play for.
“I think early on when I came up to Sydney there were guys like Shannon Grant and Anthony Rocca who had left the club to go and play interstate and to go back to their home state and certainly that’s not the way things happen now,” he said.
“I think players want to play for this club and we’ve got a culture that other clubs are envious of and probably try to mimic at different stages.
“We’ve got a great support base as well as corporate support as well, so the club is in a good position and hopefully I can stay involved in any way I can and just keep giving as much as I can give to this club.”
With at least three games remaining in his illustrious career, Bolton said when all was said and done, it will be his team mates that he’ll miss the most.
“To be able to play alongside my boys, that’s what I’m going to miss the most,” he said,
“It’s the competition each time, and I’m getting a bit emotional just thinking about it, and just the fact that you get to have the laughs all the time with all the players and the locker room banter, and then training hard and playing hard.
“That’s what I’m going to miss.”
Bolton thanked his wife Lynette and 18-month daughter Siarra for their support, as well as the club and the countless Swans’ supporters who have been in his corner for so long.
“I think firstly my wife. I think she’s put up with a hell of a lot the whole time and I’ve come home a bit cranky at different stages,” he said.
“To the coaches that have given me an opportunity, Ricky Barham who picked me up as a young blonde kid, I’m just forever in debt for those sorts of people who invested their time in me to play AFL footy.
“I’ve been lucky enough to have one of the best jobs in the world.
“Finally, I’d like to thank everyone who has sent me messages; it’s just one of those incredible things when you see the number of messages I’ve received, I’m really truly humbled.”
Jude Bolton by the numbers
Pick 8 in 1998.
Premierships: 2005, 2012.
His 321 matches ranks him 2nd overall at the Swans – behind Adam Goodes (331). 34th in the history of the game.
Has averaged 21 games per year over 15 seasons at the Swans.
Averaged 18 possessions and nearly 5 tackles per game over his career.
Personal best 41 disposals v Western Bulldogs R10, 2012.
Finished top 10 in Club Champion for 7 consecutive years from 2003-2009.
Best Clubman at the Swans 2005, 2006.
Swans Most Improved Player 2003.
