Hawthorn forward Chad Wingard has announced his retirement from the AFL after a decorated career that spanned 13 seasons.
He will retire effective immediately after 218 games, 147 at Port Adelaide and 71 at his current club the Hawks.
The 31-year-old has been plagued with injury in recent seasons, but at his best, he was one of the most exhilarating footballers in the entire competition.
Wingard announced the news of his retirement on Instagram on Monday morning.
"13 years of memories and moments I'll cherish forever," the post read.
"Thank you to the Port Adelaide Football Club and Hawthorn Football Club for shaping me into the player and person that I am today.
"To the fans of this great game, thank you, and I hope I played a small part in entertaining you on the weekends during my journey.
"Lastly, my family, thank you for always supporting me and pushing me to be my best every day."
Wingard was a highly-touted junior footballer who was recruited to Port Adelaide via pick six in the 2011 AFL National Draft.
He burst onto the scene and quickly established himself as one of the most damaging half forward flankers in the competition, winning a best-and-fairest for the Power at the age of 20.
The Kaurna and Ngarrandjerri man kicked 139 goals across a three-year period, which included All-Australian honours in 2013 and 2015.
Wingard spent the final six seasons of his career at Hawthorn, after requesting a trade from Port Adelaide at the end of the 2018 season and battled various soft tissue injuries throughout his time in the brown and gold.
A ruptured Achilles that he sustained in the final round of the 2023 season effectively ended his career at the elite level with Wingard unable to break back into Hawks' resurgent team this season.
Hawthorn's Executive General Manager of Football Rob McCartney paid tribute to Wingard's career in a statement released on the club's website.
"Chad will always remain an important part of the Hawthorn fabric, and on behalf of everyone at the club, I would like to wish Chad, his fiancé Lilly and his entire family all the very best for the future," McCartney said.
"Chad's influence extended much wider than just his playing feats, he is a significant role model for our First Nations players and staff, with his words and actions being felt across the AFL and wider community.
"There are countless breathtaking moments that Chad has delivered us all over the years that will live long in the memories of the Hawthorn and Port Adelaide faithful.
"Along with his amazing talents on the field, Chad drove himself and others around him to higher levels as a much-respected teammate and leader during his time at Hawthorn."
