GOING out on a high with a sixth All Australian selection to his name was a decisive factor in champion Geelong defender Corey Enright's decision to retire.

Enright, who announced his retirement on Wednesday, said he made the final call on his future on Sunday, but admitted there was a part of him that was tempted to play on in 2017.

"I'm proud of the fact that I can go out on my terms and, I guess, I'm still playing good footy," Enright said on Thursday evening.

"That's something that sits pretty well with me."

The champion defender exits the AFL as Geelong's games record holder (332 matches) and with a place among the club's greatest ever players.

"It wasn't easy, playing in a preliminary final and getting so close and being a realistic chance to contend again (next season)."

The 35-year-old said his teammates tried to convince him to play on into an 18th season.

"It's hard when it comes from your teammates and they tug at your heartstrings a little bit and that sort of clouds your decision because you don't want to let them down," Enright said.

"I had a lot of feedback throughout the week and some I took on and some I didn't."

Once he told Geelong's powerbrokers of his decision to pull the pin in a meeting at the club on Monday, Enright rang captain Joel Selwood and met him for a beer to explain his call.

Enright then spoke to a number of his premiership teammates, with Matthew Scarlett among those to give his blessing.

The triple-premiership star conceded the tears that flowed freely after the club's preliminary final loss to the Sydney Swans may have been forewarning to his final decision.

"Being so emotional tells you something that maybe your time is up," Enright said.

"It probably did say something to me and I was thinking that way for most of the season, and you put so much energy and effort into the season and once it's finished the reality of it all hits.

"It wasn't an easy decision. but something I'm quite comfortable with right now."

A draft bargain at pick 47 in 1999, he was twice best and fairest in premiership years in '09 and '11 and played in 24 finals, including four Grand Finals.

His 220 career wins is also a club record.

Enright was a brilliant one-on-one defender whose ability to read the play and launch attacks from half-back made him invaluable during Geelong's golden era.

In typical unassuming style, Enright signed out once and for all.

"I just want to be remembered as someone who gave my all and played my heart out for the Geelong Football Club," he said.