Essendon’s loss to Geelong not only signalled the end of the season for Kevin Sheedy and his men, it was also the end of the road for three of Essendon’s favourite sons. Mark Mercuri announced his retirement tonight and was chaired off the ground with premiership teammate Sean Wellman after the Bombers 10-point loss.

Mercuri’s decision comes after months of speculation about him calling it quits. Mercuri joins Wellman and Joe Misiti in retirement, after the pair announced season 2004 would be their last prior to the Round 22 game against the Western Bulldogs.

Mercuri, 30, retires as one of the greats of Essendon Football Club having played 206 games, been a member of two Premiership sides and a having won a Crichton Medal in 1999.

""Mark has been a wonderful player and both he and this club can look back on his achievements with great pride,"" Essendon chief executive Peter Jackson said today.

""He retires as a dual Premiership player and he will always be remembered for the key role he played in the 2000 Premiership side – arguably the greatest side this club has seen.""

Mark agreed to a five-year contract with this club on the back of his outstanding form in 1999 and 2000 but he has been unable to recapture his best form in recent seasons.

""Injury and some personal issues conspired to make recent seasons very difficult for Mark and both he and the club are disappointed things didn’t turn out as we would have liked,"" Jackson said.

""But I want to make it very clear that this club is not in the least bit disappointed with Mark Mercuri himself – circumstances simply didn’t allow him to produce his best football.

""I think it should also be noted that Mark has made numerous financial sacrifices during the latter part of his contract and he has done so again in announcing his retirement.

""I think it is a measure of the man that he has reached this sensible decision in the best interests of both the club and himself. We wish him all the best in his future pursuits.""

Mark Mercuri

Debut: v Carlton, Round 10, 1992
Games: 206
Goals: 247
Finals: 17
Grand Finals: 1993, 2000, 2001
Premierships: 1993, 2000
Best and Fairest: 1999
Runner-up Best and Fairest: 1996
Best Team Man: 1993
VSFL Premiership: 1992
Champions of Essendon: 41
Runner-up Brownlow Medal: 1999
AFL Rising Star Nominee: 1993
Pre-season / Night Premierships: 1993, 1994, 2000
Michael Tuck Medal: 2000
All Australian: 1999
Victorian representative: 1994, 1996, 1998