Geelong triple premiership ruckman Brad Ottens has ended weeks of speculation by announcing his retirement from AFL football.
The 31-year-old finishes his career with 261 goals in 245 games for the Cats and Richmond across 14 seasons.
Ottens is the fifth Geelong player to bow out this season joining captain Cameron Ling, Cameron Mooney, Darren Milburn and Mark Blake in retirement.
"I think the time is right," Ottens said of his decision.
"The club has been great to me and I have had long discussions with Chris Scott about playing on. The time has come to make a decision and I think it's the right time to retire."
"I have had a great time through my career and would like to thank all of the people that have made playing so much fun. In particular my team-mates at Geelong and Richmond, and the supporters who have been fantastic and passionate about the teams."
"I feel fortunate to have played with such a great group at Geelong and the success that we have enjoyed will keep us together forever."
Since joining Geelong at the end of the 2004 season, Ottens developed into one of the game's premier ruckmen and often saved his best performances for the finals.
He was an integral part of the club's drought-breaking premiership in 2007 and was also a major player in their '09 and '11 successes.
Cats coach Chris Scott paid tribute to Ottens.
"Brad has served the club fantastically well and I am really pleased that I spent the past year with him," Scott said.
"Brad's ability to overcome setbacks and injuries, and to produce for his team-mates cannot be overlooked."
"Otto deserves to be remembered along with the other great Geelong players of this era and I know that his team-mates and coaches know just how important he has been to the club's success."
"He has been one of the elite big men in the AFL for over a decade and has carried a big load for the club in his seven years here."
Originally selected with pick No.2 in the 1997 AFL Draft, Ottens played 129 games for the Tigers and was an All Australian in 2001.