VETERAN Port Adelaide midfielder Dom Cassisi has joined St Kilda's Lenny Hayes and Collingwood's Nick Maxwell in announcing his retirement from the AFL.





Cassisi, who was taken by the Power with pick No. 50 at the 2000 national draft, will play his 228th and final senior game against Melbourne on Sunday at Adelaide Oval.





Cassisi played in Port's 2004 premiership and captained the club from 2009-2012.





He won the Fos Williams Medal for best team man as judged by his teammates four times, from 2008-2011.





The 31-year-old said that given the position his club was now in he felt ready to call it a day.





"I think it's time for me to hand the baton to the next group of young players coming through," Cassisi said.

"I leave the game really happy and content, particularly with where the club is at right now.





"I have just felt honoured and privileged to play for the one club.

"To win a premiership and wear the captain's number one guernsey is just such an honour."





Power coach Ken Hinkley hailed Cassisi's "selfless" nature.





Hinkley said Cassisi's decision to retire would mean increased opportunity for a younger player.

"Dom leads by example in the team-first attitude he displays in everything he does," he said.

"In my time at the football club he's been nothing but supportive of what we're doing.

"He's been selfless in the way he's handled himself throughout; for him it's all about what's best for Port Adelaide.

"Dom's decision, now, is about giving a younger player an opportunity as he feels it's the right thing for the team."



Dom Cassisi celebrates with his Port teammates at the end of the 2004 Grand Final. Picture: AFL Media







