Sydney Swans' Mitch Morton to retire from AFL at end of season - ABC Online

Posted August 02, 2013 16:33:48

Premiership-winning Sydney forward Mitch Morton will retire from AFL at the end of the season.

The 26-year-old, who kicked two goals in the Swans' 2012 grand final victory, told his club and team-mates of his decision on Friday.

Morton plans to pursue a role in the corporate sector, having studied management and commerce throughout his 82-game AFL career.

He has played just 11 games for the Swans since joining them at the end of the 2011 season.

"It has been an absolute privilege and honour to be part of this football club for the past two seasons and I will always be grateful for the opportunity the club has given me to improve," Morton said in a statement.

"The 2012 premiership will always remain the highlight of my career and I look forward to staying in close contact with my premiership team-mates for many years to come."

Morton made his senior debut at West Coast in 2005, racking up 11 goals in 12 games before switching to Richmond in 2008.

He booted an impressive 94 goals in his 59 games at the Tigers.

Despite having spent most of this season playing in the Swans' reserves, coach John Longmire said there is a chance Morton could add some games to his name before he calls time.

"We certainly haven't ruled a line through him for the remainder of the season and last year is the perfect example of simply getting an opportunity and taking it," Longmire said.

"We bought Mitch to the club to add a bit of firepower to our forward line and he really helped us in that area late last year.

"He is a talented player and a great character to have around the club. He has made a real impact in only a short time."

Morton has been named in the Swans' 25-man squad for Sunday's match against the Western Bulldogs at Docklands.

AAP

Topics: australian-football-league, sport, sydney-2000, nsw, australia