Former Geelong and St Kilda midfielder Jack Steven has confirmed his immediate retirement from the AFL.
Steven made his name at the Saints before his move to the Cats, elected with the 42nd pick in the 2007 national draft.
The 30-year-old would debut in 2009, winning the Trevor Barker Award for club best and fairest in 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2018.
Despite having a deal for 2021, Steven made the decision to call time on his career.
“We are happy for Jack that he has made this decision and wish him well in his future,” Geelong’s general manager of football Simon Lloyd said.
“Jack had an outstanding career and we enjoyed having him play with us this year.
"It’s great that Jack is back home on the Bellarine and we look forward to seeing him enjoy the post-football part of his life.”
Stuv has called time on his decorated career 💙 Thanks for your contribution to a remarkable 2020 season.
— Geelong Cats (@GeelongCats) November 19, 2020
READ 📘 : https://t.co/B47k0kVQZp pic.twitter.com/e9T6DxQsre
Steven would have a problematic 2020 season, playing just nine games for Geelong after being hospitalised in May after a stabbing incident.
He would be eventually released and cleared to return to training after the AFL Integrity Unit cleared him of any wrongdoing.
Steven's departure reflects a major roster overhaul for the grand finalists, joining Gary Ablett and Harry Taylor in retiring from the AFL this season, with Lochie Fogerty and Nakia Cockatoo leaving to take up other opportunities.
This comes after the club added Isaac Smith, Jeremy Cameron and Shaun Higgins to its playing list for the 2021 season.
