Ty Vickery has today announced his retirement from AFL football.

Vickery, who came to Hawthorn during the 2016 free agency period, will depart the Hawks to explore other opportunities away from football.

Hawthorn General Manager – Football Operations Jason Burt said while the club was disappointed it understood Vickery’s decision.

“Ty came to us and we had a really open discussion about his future and the best decision for him going forward,” said Burt.

“Having spent the last two years playing predominantly at a VFL level, Ty’s passion for footy isn’t as strong as it once was.

“The end of season break gave Ty an opportunity to think about where he was at and has solidified his desire to experience life away from footy. A big part of that is having more privacy and being able to spend time with his wife.

“While it’s disappointing, the club completely understands Ty’s position and is grateful for the open and honest approach he has taken over the last couple of weeks.

“We thank Ty for his contribution to Hawthorn and wish him and Arina all the best for the future.”

Vickery said the decision, while the right one, had been difficult.

“It hasn’t been an easy call to make,” said Vickery.

“Football has been a huge part of my life, but I don’t have the same passion for the game that I once did.

“The break gave me a real chance to think about the future and solidified that I’m ready for the next chapter of my life.

“To have the freedom to travel and explore other opportunities away from football is something I’m really looking forward to and a big part of my decision.

“I’d like to thank Hawthorn and Richmond Football Club for all the support and opportunities over my career.

“I’ve been blessed to play at two great clubs and I’ll leave the game with a lot of close mates and great memories.”

Vickery was taken by Richmond with pick no.8 in the 2008 NAB AFL Draft and finishes his career with 125 games and 160 goals.