North Melbourne veteran Liam Shiels will retire after 16 seasons across two AFL clubs, but this time it's for good.
After being lured back to the game in 2022 following a short retirement, the 33-year-old will play his 288th and final game when he, fittingly, takes on his former club Hawthorn on Saturday.
Shiels, a three-time premiership player with the Hawks, informed his Kangaroos teammates of his decision on Tuesday after playing 33 games across his two seasons at Arden Street.
“I’ve been lucky enough to do what I love for the last 16 years and I’m so grateful for the opportunity to play out my last couple of years at the North Melbourne Football Club,” Shiels said in a club statement.
“I always thought I’d be a one-club player, but I’ll always be proud to have finished my football here.
“As much as I hoped I could have done more to put more wins on the board, these have been some of the most fulfilling years I’ve had.”
Drafted to the Hawks with pick No.34 in 2008 as a 17-year-old, Shiels debuted the following year and went on to become a crucial cog in the club's premiership three-peat from 2013 to 2015.
The midfielder previously called time on his career after 14 seasons and 255 games with the Hawks, before a successful pitch from former coach Alastair Clarkson convinced him to return to the game ahead of the 2023 season.
Shiels thanked now-Kangaroos coach Clarkson for his guidance across his career.
“To ‘Clarko’, you’ve backed me in from day dot," Shiels said.
“You nicknamed me ‘Pup’ when I was 17 and you’ve made sure I’ve squeezed as much out of myself as possible and then some more.
“I wouldn’t be in the position I am today without your guidance, care and support.
“I have loved playing for you and I have learned so much off you about the game but more importantly about life and this has made me a better person, husband and now father.”
