Gold Coast SUNS defender and 2012 premiership player Nick Malceski has announced his retirement from the game.



Malceski, who will transition into the vacant assistant coach role with the Gold Coast SUNS Academy, played 210 AFL games after making his debut for the Sydney Swans in 2005.



"I was hoping to play out my contract with the SUNS in 2017, but as many of you would know, I've had on-going knee issues for a while now and to be honest, I couldn't go on," Malceski said.



"When reflecting on my year and the direction of the footy club it became clear to me that the time was right to call it a day.



"I will be forever grateful to the Sydney and Gold Coast Football Clubs and I wish to thank both clubs, their players, fans, my family, friends and everyone who has shown me unwavering support throughout my playing career.



"My thinking post footy was always to go into coaching, specifically development, and when the opportunity came up to get the next chapter of my career started with the SUNS, I knew the time was right.



"I am really looking forward to helping what I believe is a great young team earn the respect and success it deserves as well as playing a role in developing our players and growing the game in Queensland."



General Manager – Football Operations, Marcus Ashcroft, congratulated Malceski on his AFL career.



“On behalf of everyone involved with the Gold Coast Football Club I congratulate Nick on his AFL career. To play over 200 games and to be a premiership player is a great achievement and in the future Nick will be able to look back on his AFL career with pride," he said.



“When Nick joined our club from the Sydney Swans we knew we weren’t just bringing in a player. We recruited a person with great football knowledge, leadership qualities and a passion to move into coaching when his football career came to an end. With that being the case we are really pleased to be able to offer Nick that opportunity with the SUNS.”



Malceski joined the SUNS as a restricted free agent at the end of the 2014 season, playing 34 games and kicking eight goals. Prior to joining the SUNS, Malceski played 176 games for the Swans where he endured three knee reconstructions but also had a brilliant career, starring in the 2012 flag triumph over Hawthorn.