POPULAR Sydney Swans player Henry Playfair has announced he is retiring from football.

Playfair, 27, suffered a serious back injury in the Round 14 match against Richmond at the SCG, and after medical advice he has decided to call an end to his career.

“When I found out I’d done some damage to my back it was a bit of a shock. At first I didn’t know what it meant for my season, and then I spoke further to the doctor and the physio and it looked like my season was over,’’ Playfair said today.

“I then had to make a decision about next year, and coming off the troubles I’ve had previously with hamstring injuries over the past couple of seasons, the back was another indication that my body is not up to it at this stage.’’

Playfair told his team-mates last night, and will stay involved with the Club until the end of the year. He is expected to make a full recovery from his injuries in time.

Sydney Swans coach Paul Roos paid tribute to Playfair, who had shown enormous character to make a comeback this season after surgery in 2009.

“In what has been a difficult time for Henry, he has certainly showed when he has played that he’s been a valuable member of the team,’’ Roos said.

“But more importantly he’s embraced the football club and become a very popular team member. He’s always been willing to help younger team-mates and pass on his wealth of knowledge from many years of senior footy so he will be missed both on and off the field.’’

Playfair, a 198cm key position player, has strong hands and a perfect physique for football but suffered a serious of injuries during his nine-year AFL career which did not allow him to reach his full potential.

From the NSW Riverina area, Playfair went to school in Sydney and was then drafted by Geelong with selection 41 in the 2001 national draft.

He played 52 games for Geelong before being traded to Sydney at the end of 2007.

He played just 16 games for Sydney during the past two and a half seasons, but made a big impact as a popular team member at the Swans who has shown a great capacity to overcome setbacks.

Playfair said his first game for the Swans, in round seven of 2008, was one of the highlights of his career.

“It was a really special day, it was at the SCG and even though we lost it was a great thrill to get out there because I’d lived and gone to school in Sydney and watched the Swans plenty of times,’’ Playfair said.

Playfair played 11 consecutive games that season, but then a serious hamstring problem prevented him from playing any football in 2009.

He had surgery, but was delisted at the end of last season. However Playfair didn’t give up and the Club threw him a lifeline, placing him on the rookie list for 2010.

He impressed in the Swans reserves and was elevated to the senior list, making an emotional comeback to senior football in round eight this year against the Western Bulldogs.

“I came off pretty major surgery last year, so to get through that period and get a rookie spot, and then to play a few senior games this season, I was proud of myself and it meant a lot to me,’’ Playfair said.

Playfair says he’s comfortable with the fact that he’s given football his best shot.

“I gave everything I had to it and I’m pretty comfortable with that. I’ve faced a lot of challenges along the way. I take away a lot of life experiences about ups and downs and the pressure of intense sport and what it takes to be successful,'' he said.

“I was at Geelong when they won a premiership and then to come to Sydney and be here where they’ve got such a great culture, I’ve learnt a lot about life and the challenges it can throw up.’’