At Punt Road, he developed many friendships that will outlast his playing career.

Initially, the no-thrills team-man had hoped to announce his retirement to his Richmond teammtes after the last round, however conversations with some of those friends convinced him to do otherwise.

"I told Dimma (Damien Hardwick) and some key people a number of weeks ago that it was going to happen but I wanted to get through the year, but they just really endorsed the idea of getting it done last week," he said.

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"I was nervous and I hated the idea of it being a distraction in any way but since I've done it the conversations that I've had in this last week have just been remarkable. Conversations with people like Dustin (Martin) and Dylan (Grimes) and the greater playing list and football club have just been awesome. Those relationships they certainly aren't going to stop now that I've walked out the door of the Richmond Football Club."

When history reflects on the 30-year-old, it won't show the individual accolades that the very best receive; however it will view him as a Richmond man through and through.

Someone who gave his all for the club that drafted him and as a result was able to enjoy immense success.

He is forever grateful that he was able to finish up his career as a one-club player, something that not every footballer can do.

"I love the Richmond football club and I can't endorse them enough not for what they do in a football sense but beyond as well," he said.

"I'm really happy that I just threw the one jumper on."

The Tatyoon native was drafted with pick 35 to the Tigers way back in 2009 and despite it being so long ago, he still holds a special place in his heart for his hometown, filled with people who have supported him "unconditionally" throughout his journey.

"I think (growing up there) set me up to be really grateful for the opportunity that I had and the influence that my position might be able to have for the community back there and the youth coming through," he said. "

The people back there, they're just remarkable. I've got so much time and respect for that place and everything that it has done for me. I really hope that they reflect on my career that's been and they're proud of it and the way that I've carried myself, but also hopefully they believe that I've done the right thing for them.

"I never anticipated to have the career that I did and I wouldn't change anything from the injuries and the hardships. They've definitely helped me become a better person and I always felt really supported by Tatyoon."

Unfortunately, injuries did get the better of Astbury in the early stages of his career, with the premiership defender not playing more than eight games in five of his first six seasons.

Whilst that would have been extremely tough for a young player Astbury credits "key people" for helping him emerge from the other side.

"It's hard not to live with a great deal of doubt when you are going through those trying circumstances. At different stages that was really, really, difficult," he said.

"As my career evolved the people around me only got better. I feel like it was really good for me as a person to endure the adversity."

From 2016 Astbury was able to get his body right, playing 88 games over the next four seasons.

During the Tigers' premiership dynasty between 2017 and 2020, he was a key part of a backline that included superstars like Alex Rance, Grimes and Houli.

While his higher-profile teammates might have seen more of the plaudits, Astbury played significant roles during those years, severely limiting the impact of his direct opponents.

Despite not receiving the same external attention, Astbury said he was able to "get fulfillment in other ways".

"We've got a football club that's stacked with some of the game's greats. There's just stardom everywhere in a system that's so fine-tuned and I was a part of that system," he said.

"Within the football club roles that may not get as much exposure as mine were still really celebrated, which was really great. Everyone felt worthy. I really love celebrating everyone else and the work that they were doing."

At the weekend Astbury played his 155th and final game for his beloved club.

Saturday's game against the Hawks ended in a draw, which was probably fitting because it was also the final games of Hawthorn/Port Adelaide and Richmond legends Shaun Burgoyne and Bachar Houli.

Astbury was his usual stoic self in defence, collecting six intercept possessions to go with his 20 disposals at 95 per cent efficiency.

Astbury was typically modest and full of praise for his retiring counterparts in Houli and Burgoyne, who he described as "icons" both on and off the field.

"Probably the two best clubs over the last decade have come together and seen off some key people which was really good," Astbury said. "I think both football clubs did things really well for those respective players. I certainly felt that and I hope those guys did too. It was just a special occasion."

At just thirty years old people might think that Astbury should have kept playing; however, the three-time premiership champion who suffered more than his fair share of injuries, had no reservations and was adamant that now was his time.

"I've been involved so heavily in the cultural aspect of what football gives and I've been so fortunate to be given quite a great deal of responsibility with that," he said. "I really don't want to at any stage play for too long and compromise that. No amount of money or any accolade or award can replace that.

I'm not athletically gifted as it is, so if that gets compromised much more, I just won't be able to hack the levels and the rigours of the game.

"I just feel like the club needs a little bit of regeneration and I'm also excited about what lies ahead for me."

As for what lies ahead, Astbury is not rushing into anything and is taking a well-earned hiatus. After 12-years of professional football who can blame him for wanting to assess his options.

"The next period for me is going to be about going away and not committing to anything short-term," he said.

"I'll do some research into what not and what suits my own personal brand."

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