SYDNEY Swans forward Michael O'Loughlin will retire at the end of the season, ending a 15-year career at the elite level.

The 32-year-old has played a club-record 293 games for the Swans and booted 505 goals since making his debut in 1995.

O'Loughlin said on Tuesday that his failure to recover fully from a pre-season operation to repair an ankle joint had been a major factor in his decision to retire.

"My game's based on twisting and turning and ducking and dodging – I can't do those things any more. I really had to look myself in the mirror and answer those tough questions," he said.

"I'm not one of those players who can run like Goodesy or who can run all day like Kirky. I need that spark and a bit of zip.

"And it wasn't just the ankle. The legs were starting to go at some stages. I've had a pretty long ride and a pretty enjoyable one. It's just one of those things that's every footballer's worst nightmare."

If he plays in the Swans' remaining 10 games of the season, O'Loughlin will become the first player from the club to play 300 games.

But he said thoughts of playing on just to reach his milestone had never entered his mind.
 
"I've always thought about the team first and that's the way I've sort of tried to play my footy. I think my game was based around bringing other players into games and making sure I was playing my role," O'Loughlin said.

"Hopefully, touch wood, with injuries and form, we can get there but if I don't, I'll leave very satisfied with what I've achieved here."

A two-time All-Australian (1997, 2000), O'Loughlin was also named in the Indigenous Team of the Century in 2005 alongside teammate Adam Goodes. He won the Bob Skilton Medal for the club's best and fairest in 1998.

He was a key part of the Swans' 2005 premiership team, kicking 52 goals for the year and he followed up with 47 goals in 2006 as his side lost to West Coast in the grand final.

O'Loughlin added another 40 goals as the Swans scraped into the finals in 2007 but a chronic ankle injury curtailed his 2008 season after 16 games.

He praised coach Paul Roos, saying he was a friend who had been part of his life for 15 years, and also thanked previous coaches Ron Barassi and Rodney Eade.