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West Coast Eagle Matt Priddis makes stunning retirement announcement

Kim Hagdorn
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Revered West Coast champion Matt Priddis has stunned the AFL world by announcing his retirement on Friday.

After a torrid week of relentless blood-letting at Eagles headquarters, the 2014 Brownlow medallist will quit despite having a contract for next season.

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West Coast's Matt Priddis announces shock retirement

Brownlow Medallist Matt Priddis called time on his 12-year career at the Eagles in a shock media conference on Friday.

Priddis, 32, only signed a new deal two months ago. West Coast confirmed the speculation through a tweet at 11.31am.

"Our champion midfielder Matt Priddis has called time on his illustrious career. Thanks Matt," the club said.

West Coast called a media conference this morning for 11.30am Perth time after raging expectation that imported superstar Sam Mitchell would also announce he was leaving the game after just one year with his adopted outfit.

Priddis said the decision to retire was his, but he would miss the club and the players especially.

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"I had a couple of days where I was very emotional. Telling the boys was very emotional," he said at Friday's announcement.

"This is an amazing organisation. It was a childhood dream to be able to play for this team." 

"I have attributes where I'm confident, but to play for 12 years being the slowest bloke in the AFL - I'm pretty proud of that."

A typically-humble Priddis said his decision to draw the curtain on a remarkable playing career was for the benefit of the team.

"It's my call. I've put my hand up to say I don't think I can play a good enough role for the team," he said.

"The team is always first. That's the best thing about our game. It's a team game.

I have attributes where I'm confident, but to play for 12 years being the slowest bloke in the AFL - I'm pretty proud of that.

"I've been so lucky to play for 12 years... in the early days in particular I had to make the most of everything.

"I didn't know if I was going to get another contract.

"I've played each game and treated each season like it's my last to some degree.

"I'm at ease with my decision."

Priddis ruled out stepping into a coaching career.

He is likely to resume playing at WAFL power club Subiaco next season, where he started one of the modern era's more remarkable careers and won the 2006 Sandover Medal in his first season on the Eagles list.

West Coast coach Adam Simpson said the Brownlow Medallist was revered at the club.

"He's an inspiration. It was an emotional time, but like Pridda always does, he's put the club first," Simpson said.

Mitchell, 34, was expected to hang up his boots at the end of the season but Priddis' early retirement may change his mind.

The four-time Hawthorn premiership superstar and five-time Hawks fairest-and-best winner was expected to announce his retirement plans early next week.

Priddis revealing his intentions bucks expectations that he would continue as an on-ball regular next year with the departure of Mitchell from an ageing and slow-paced Eagles midfield.

It has been widely accepted through AFL circles that there was not room for the pair in the same team.

Priddis is known to have been battling ongoing groin and hip problems and had back surgery at the end of last season.

He will finish as one of the most respected and popular Eagles in West Coast history.

Originally just a rookie selection back in 2005, he has played 235 West Coast games and won his club only champion award in 2013.

Ironically, Priddis has been runner-up to the Eagles top individual award on four other occasions.

He is remarkably only 23 votes short of five fairest-and-best titles.

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