Decorated Geelong wingman Isaac Smith to quit at season’s end

Geelong’s four-time premiership wingman Isaac Smith will retire at the end of the AFL season.

Smith claimed three flags at Hawthorn and won the Norm Smith medal as best-afield in Geelong’s premiership last year.

The 34-year-old has told his Geelong teammates of his decision to retire at the end of the Cats’ current campaign.

“I am so fortunate to have been given the opportunity to play AFL football … to have that play out for me across the last 13 seasons at two great clubs is something really special,” Smith said in a statement on Thursday.

“From the time I walked into Hawthorn, and now being at Geelong, I have always felt right at home at both organisations.”

Isaac Smith of the Cats has announced his AFL retirement. Albert Perez/AFL Photos via Getty Images

The dashing winger played 210 games for the Hawks before switching to Geelong at the end of the 2020 season.

Smith has played 67 of a possible 70 games with the Cats and last season became the oldest winner of the North Smith medal.

Geelong’s football manager Simon Lloyd praised Smith’s team-first approach with the Cats.

“Isaac has been an important member of the club both on and off the field, highlighted by his strong mindset, competitive nature and balanced perspective on life and the game,” Lloyd said in a statement.

“He is a unique individual and his ability to bring energy around the club is something that is going to be missed.”

Geelong are in ninth spot, two premiership points shy of eighth place, with three rounds remaining before the finals.