Hayden Skipworth today announced he is retiring from the AFL after 55 games and seven seasons in the competition.

 

Skipworth - who turns 27 in February - said his body simply did not withstand the rigors of full-time football.

 

""Unfortunately my body is struggling to cope with the AFL workload and I wasn't able to play the sort of footy I wanted to play, especially in the second half of the year,"" he said.

 

""I want to thank the Essendon Football Club and its supporters for embracing me after coming from a different club. I have been made to feel welcome and, although it was my first year on the playing list, I have been at Windy Hill for three years and the club has been great.

 

""It's a great club and thanks to Matthew Knights and the recruitment people for giving me the opportunity. Even though it didn't last as long as I would have liked it was great to get back out there. I also want to thank my family and friends for all their support.

 

""It's an exciting time for the club, they have a great group of young players and if they can stick together they can go places. 

 

""I have enjoyed working with the young player and I got more out of helping them than helping myself over the past few years. It gave me a big thrill to see them play their first game or mature as an AFL player and as a person.""
 
To purchase a fantastic commemorative Matthew Lloyd Lithograph click here.
 
General manager of football operations Paul Hamilton said it was disappointing for Skipworth but the club wished him well.

 

""Hayden had a good start to the year but, physically, he wasn't able to maintain it. He is a great club man and was very well liked and respected by the players and coaches,"" he said.
 
""Hayden was employed by Essendon to live with our young players in the Samsung Player House last year and he lived with Tayte Pears this year and his mentoring has been invaluable.
 
""He played a big role in the development of guys like Tayte Pears and Kyle Reimers by showing them the commitment and dedication required to be a professional footballer.""

 

Skipworth played 44 games for the Adelaide Crows and 11 games for Essendon. He was recruited to Windy Hill with selection No.3 in the 2009 pre-season draft after winning the best and fairest award at Bendigo. 

 

John Williams (one senior game) and rookie listed players Rhys Magin (four senior games), Tom German, Bryce Carroll and Kade Klemke have each been advised they will no longer be required by the club.

 

""Essendon would like to thank John, Rhys, Tom, Bryce and Kade for their hard work and we wish them all the best for their future careers,"" Hamilton said.

 
Essendon will use four picks at the 2009 NAB National Draft.
 
2009 departures:
 
Senior listed players: Matthew Lloyd (veterans list), Scott Lucas, Andrew Lovett, Jay Nash, Hayden Skipworth, John Williams.
 
Rookies: Rhys Magin, Tom German, Bryce Carroll, Kade Klemke.
 
2009 arrivals:
 
Mark Williams, selections No.10, 24, 26, 33.
 
To hear Mark Williams on SEN from Monday afternoon (12th October) click here.