Tough inside midfielder Jack Redden, a key pillar of the West Coast Eagles 2018 premiership team, has today announced his retirement from senior football.

The popular Redden, who arrived at the Eagles in 2016 after seven seasons and 129 games at Brisbane, enjoyed the best year of a highly consistent career when he was central to the Eagles fourth flag.

His impact was demonstrated when he was Player of the Finals during that remarkable campaign and was also runner-up to fellow midfield star Elliot Yeo in the Club Champion Award.

The durable tackling machine finished his career with 263 AFL games after playing 134 matches at the Eagles but those numbers tell only part of the story. Originally drafted by Brisbane from South Australian club Glenelg with pick #25 in the 2008 draft, he has been a popular member of the playing group and highly-respected across all areas of the club.

While his retirement surprised most at the club, the 31-year-old has spent the last few weeks contemplating the next chapter and part of the rationale for his decision reflects the selfless attributes so often on display in the heat of battle.

“I am really content with the decision,” Redden said today. “I will be eternally grateful for the opportunities given to me and that I have been able to play 14 seasons at the highest level.

“To play in the 2018 premiership is obviously a highlight, but I have also had the chance to create some lifelong friendships.

“I thought about it for a few weeks after the season and it just feels like it is the right time, both personally and for the club which is going through a rebuild.

“I have learnt so much and developed both as a player and as a person in the last seven years. I have enjoyed every minute of it, especially playing in front of our home fans at Optus Stadium.”

Redden arrived at the club via a trade after the 2015 season, virtually unheralded and with no direct ties to the club, but coach Adam Simpson said he made an immediate impression.

“From the first day he set foot in the club Reddo impressed with his professionalism and attitude,” Simpson said. “He is highly respected right across the club and was obviously instrumental in the 2018 premiership.

“He has strong values that align with his work ethic and we are certainly going to miss him. His influence both on and off the field has been profound.”