DUAL Hawthorn premiership midfielder Brad Sewell has announced his AFL retirement.
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Ballarat's Sewell made his decision public at the Hawks' Peter Crimmins Medal night on Saturday to a standing ovation at Crown Palladium.
His announcement comes on the day the club confirmed it would not renew the veteran's contract for the 2015 season and a week after he was overlooked for the Hawk's AFL premiership win against Sydney.
"As one door closes, another one opens, and what exactly that means for me I'm unsure of just yet," Sewell said at the club's gala dinner.
"I will take the time to work that out and I sincerely look forward to my next journey, safe in the knowledge that I have had the best possible grounding any man could ask for.
"I can't actually articulate how thankful I am to all of you for your support.
"The memories and feelings you have left me with I shall one day share with my grandchildren with the utmost delight and reverence."
Sewell joined the Hawks via the 2001 AFL rookie draft from North Ballarat Rebels and earned his senior debut against Port Adelaide in round three of the 2004 season.
In a 10-year career, Sewell developed into an elite tagger on the game's best midfielder and earned a reputation for also winning the ball strong in his own right.
Sewell won the Crimmins medal as club best and fairest in 2007, finished runner-up in 2018, played in the 2008 and 2013 premierships, the losing 2012 AFL grand final and represented Australia in International Rules in 2008.
He had an interrupted 2014 season, waiting until round 10 to play his first game of 2014 and then injuring his hamstring in round 16.
Sewell made a late season return via Box Hill for three more AFL games, including his 200th match in the qualifying final win against Geelong before being dropped.
"Obviously this year didn't finish as well as I would have personally liked," Sewell said.
"This past week has almost been an out-of-body experience, almost surreal to some extent.
"Yet, no matter how difficult it was to watch unfold … it was impossible not to enjoy that win.
"The manner in which we operated that day was unlike anything we've seen – and I say operated because it was surgical.
"And, in an odd way, it was with a rising sense of pride that I watched the game.
"The development of our players and our systems over the past five years manifested itself for all to see on that day."
Hailing from Newlyn, Sewell has maintained close ties and interest in the region's football, including multiple seasons as an AFL columnist for The Courier.