The 32-year-old hangs up the boots after a 15-year career in the AFL and with Essendon.

Watson was selected at pick 40 of the 2002 draft under the father-son rule, and made his debut in 2003.

However, he was criticised for being overweight for an AFL player's standards in his early days.

But Watson turned himself into an Essendon champion, going on to captain the side between 2010 and 2015.

He's also a two-time All Australian and three-time best and fairest winner with Essendon, while he also won the Brownlow Medal in 2012 before it was stripped of him due to the supplements saga.

Watson will play out the remaining games in the 2017 regular season as Essendon look to hold on to their spot in the top eight.