FREMANTLE favourite Sam Switkowski is set to retire at the end of the season.

It is understood Switkowski, who will turn 30 in November, told his Dockers teammates of the surprise decision on Wednesday, having been weighing up his call throughout the year.

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Switkowski has been an important member of the minor premier this season, playing 22 of a possible 23 games in a valuable pressure forward role.

A free agent at season's end, Fremantle had been hoping to engage in contract talks with the Victorian across the year but had been told he was weighing up his playing future.

Clubs in Victoria had also approached Switkowski around his interest in joining as an unrestricted free agent, though his priority had been to remain at Fremantle if he was to play on.

In a statement released on Wednesday afternnon, Switkowski said his decision was motivated by family, with he and his wife Savannah expecting their first child.

"I've only ever wanted to play for Fremantle and I've felt that way for a long time. I'm really proud of the small contribution I've made," said Switkowski. 

"I don't have the desire to continue my playing career anywhere else so I'll be moving on to something different, I'm not sure what yet.

"I'm really at peace with the decision and content and excited for finals footy, to really just enjoy every moment and see what we can do.

"I've been weighing up when might be the right time to head back home and reconnect with family and friends because it's something that’s always been really important to me – even more so now – starting a new family of my own.

"I've hit that point now that I have good clarity on who I am as a person and my values, and the things that are really important to me. It just feels like it's the right time to move onto the next phase of my life.

"Being around family and friends again to set up Sav, myself and my family in the best place to be the best father and husband I can be."

Switkowski has played 127 games for the Dockers since joining as a mature-aged recruit out of Box Hill's VFL program.

He was rested for the side's round 24 defeat to Carlton, the only game he's missed this year, but is set to return and play through the finals series, where he'll hope to help the ladder-leading Fremantle to a maiden premiership.

"It's an unusual situation when you have a player that has decided to retire while still playing some of his best football during his time at the club, but this is just a reflection of the calibre and character of the person that Sam is," Dockers footy boss Joe Brierty said.

"Not for one moment in his time at Fremantle has Sam not invested 100 percent of himself as a player, teammate and leader.

"Sam will be remembered as a player that got every ounce out of his football career, played his role for the team week in week out and always put the Club first.

"Now it’s time for Sam and Sav to prioritise their family and what comes next, knowing that they will forever be part of the Fremantle family. But before this, we know that Sam is committed to ending his career the right way as a key part of our playing group determined to give everything to the coming finals series."