Following discussions with coach Paul Roos and General Manager - Football Andrew Ireland, Ben Mathews has announced his retirement after thirteen years at the Sydney Swans.

Mathews came from Corowa-Rutherglen to the Swans as a zone selection in the 1995 Draft. He made his debut in his second season at the Club (1997) and has since notched up 198 games in the red and white.

The Swans '  number four received a Rising Star nomination in 1999, won the Swans Most Improved  Player Award  in 2000, and came third in the Best and Fairest in 2001. He was also a part of the 2005 Premiership team and a member of the Swans Leadership Group.

“My passion and enthusiasm to play at the highest level was starting to be compromised and I didn’t want to reach the point where I was letting down my teammates,” Mathews said.

“I feel like I have given everything I possibly can throughout my career to play at the highest level and I leave AFL footy and the Sydney Swans with no regrets.

“The Sydney Swans have played a massive part in my life after leaving home at 16 and I want to thank the Club for the opportunity to play AFL footy.

“It has been a fantastic journey and I take away some very special memories and life long friendships from my time here.”

Coach Paul Roos reflected fondly on the career of a player he not only coached, but played alongside as well.

“Any player’s objective at the start of their career is to give everything he possibly can for his team, his Club and his teammates and to gain respect from the football community,” Roos said.

“Benny Mathews is a player that has ticked all those boxes and he really has been a tremendous contributor to the Sydney Swans Football Club culminating in his performance in the 2005 Grand Final.”

The Sydney Swans will suitably farewell Ben at the Club Championship Dinner at season’s end.