Freo small announces shock retirement at 29

Fremantle's Sam Switkowski has shocked his club on the eve of finals by announcing his retirement.

Switkowski today told teammates that he will call it quits at the end of the Dockers’ season.

The small forward, still only 29, has turned his back on a two-year contract from Fremantle and a glut of interest from back home in Victoria.

It’s understood he is simply eager to move on with the next phase of his life as a soon-to-be father.

Switkowski has played 127 AFL games since being drafted by Fremantle with pick 73 in 2017 from the Box Hill Hawks.

Rested for the Round 24 loss to Carlton, he has featured in 22 games this season and been a key contributor in Fremantle’s charge to the minor premiership and flag favouritism.

The diminutive workhorse has long been one of coach Justin Longmuir’s favourites as an excellent decision-maker and footy-smart performer.