ST KILDA defender Dougal Howard will retire from the AFL after a farewell game against Gold Coast on Thursday night.
Howard will play his 100th game for the Saints against the Suns at Marvel Stadium, having also played 45 games for Port Adelaide earlier in his career.
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Drafted by the Power with pick No.56 in 2014, Howard spent five seasons at Port before making the move to St Kilda in 2019.
He played at least 18 games in each of his first four seasons at the club and finished third in the club's best and fairest in 2020.
He has played just nine games in the past two seasons due to injury.
"I was a bit emotional, to be honest, when I spoke to the boys,” Howard said.
"I've absolutely loved my time at St Kilda. I came to Melbourne and the club as a 23-year-old, so it's been such a big part of my life and my family's life.
"To have played most of my career here and seen the growth of the club over that time has been really special.
"This year has been a frustrating one. I've struggled a bit to get my body right and haven't been able to get out there as consistently as I would've liked, but I know now is the right time to finish up my career at the Saints."
