Sydney premiership player Nick Smith has called time on his illustrious career after 13 years.
The Swans defender had torn his hamstring off the bone during the round 21 clash with Melbourne last season.
Smith had suffered numerous setbacks to his return, and after three rounds of surgery, it remained unclear whether the 31-year-old's body would hold up to an AFL level.
Therefore, the decision was made for Smith to retire from AFL football.
MORE: AFL greats slam Gillon McLachlan for comments on out-of-contract Giants star
Sydney coach John Longmire praised the Swans veteran, telling the Sydney website that he was one of the best small defenders in the league.
“From the moment Nick arrived at the Sydney Swans, we knew we had a special person,” Longmire said.
“Nick was a master of the small defender role. For over a decade at selection we just placed Nick’s name up on the whiteboard next to some of the best small-to-medium forwards that have ever played our game: Steve Johnson, Eddie Betts, Toby Greene, Robbie Gray, Stephen Milne, Luke Breust, Mark LeCras are some that come to mind. And who could forget his battles on the biggest home-and-away and finals stages with his old ex-school mate Cyril Rioli.
“There is no lonelier place to be than inside defensive 50m playing on these talents. Yet Nick’s strength of mind to overcome the biggest challenges was second to none. It’s a wonder that he ever slept on a Friday night.
“The Nick Smith that we all know behind closed doors is much, much more than this. Nick is highly respected by coaches and peers alike. First elected into the club’s leadership group in 2012, he is the epitome of what the Bloods are about. And for us, that’s as great a compliment as there is.”
Smith finishes his career with 211 AFL games, an All-Australian award in 2014 and was a part of Sydney's 2012 premiership side.
