West Coast's Sam Mitchell announces his AFL retirement

In the end, the decision for West Coast veteran Sam Mitchell to retire at the conclusion of the AFL season was "reasonably simple".

At a press conference on Wednesday, the former Hawk said the lure of jumping into the coaches box was too exciting to resist.

"On Monday I would wake up and I would have some coaching responsibilities and the idea of going to my computer and doing the coaching side of things was a bit more exciting," he said.

"The passion for that has outgrown my passion for jumping in the pool and doing my recovery... I feel like the time for me is right.

Sam Mitchell with his family at Domain Stadium after announcing his retirement from AFL.Credit: Brendan Foster

"When I think about getting up for work in the morning I'm really excited to get there but I find myself really quick to jump on a computer and look at where the game is happening and where I can help young players.

"My mind is keeping up with the game at the moment but that won't last forever."

The Brownlow Medallist said the Eagles playing St Kilda in Melbourne on Sunday was the spur to make the announcement.

"It's our last fixtured game in Melbourne this year so that's the reason for calling it now," Mitchell said.

Mitchell retires as one of the game's greats.Credit: AAP

"Being a one-year Eagle and a 15-year Hawk, it's not easy to sit here. I have so many people to thank at Hawthorn."

He thanked Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson and former teammate Luke Hodge, and also thanked his parents.

"To my parents, thank you. Only now as a parent myself do I realise how much mum and dad had to do for me," he said.

Mitchell, who crossed from Hawthorn to the Eagles at the end of last year, will play out the season before hanging up his boots.

"There's not just four weeks left in my eyes, there's a lot more football left in this group for this year," Mitchell said.

"The way the guys have embraced me has been fantastic.

"I'm so thankful to sit up here and to have been able to have the best job in the world."

He will take up a full-time coaching role at the club.

"When you can have an influence on people it is hugely exciting. I can't wait for that to be my full-time role," he said.

The 34-year-old said the highlight of his career was playing his 300th game.

"The four premierships are the easy one, because when the siren goes for a premiership there are not too many feelings that can challenge that," he said.

"But from a personal point of view, playing my 300th game... and the reason for that was I knew it was coming and the kids were old enough to understand it.

"And not many people get to experience that."

Despite the Eagles just sitting inside the top 8, Mitchell believes West Coast could go deep into September if it makes the finals.

"This season has been crazy and so many things have happened," he said.

"Is our form good enough now to go on and win a premiership? No. Do we have the capability within the four walls to do that? Not out of the question."

West Coast coach Adam Simpson paid tribute to the retiring midfielder.

"He's all class," he said. "Look at what he has achieved?

"His biggest asset is his brain and what he can do on field and carry that body around for 15-16 years.

"Multiple premierships, captain, all-Australian, Brownlow, all the accolades are there.

"He will go down as one of the game's greats."

Mitchell's retirement comes just five days after fellow Brownlow medallist Matt Priddis also announced 2017 would be his final AFL season.

Priddis was contracted for next year, but said he no longer felt he could maintain his high standards.

Ex-Roo Drew Petrie is also set to retire at the end of the season, while the futures of Sam Butler, Eric Mackenzie, Josh Hill, and Mark LeCras remain up in the air.

Mitchell will go down as one of the game's all-time greats.

The 34-year-old has played 323 games, won four premierships, been named an All- Australian on three occasions, and was awarded the 2012 Brownlow medal after Jobe Watson was stripped of the honour.

Mitchell has been one of West Coast's best players this season, averaging 27 disposals per game.

When he first arrived at the Eagles he left the door wide open to play on in 2018.

But with the Eagles now turning their attention towards youth, Mitchell will step aside at the end of the year to embark on his coaching career.

SAM MITCHELL'S CAREER

Age: 34
Height: 180cm
Weight: 84kg
Games: 323 (307 with Hawthorn, 16 with Eagles)
Goals: 69
Brownlow Medal: 2012 (shared with Trent Cotchin)
All-Australian: 2011, 2013, 2015
Best and fairest: 2006, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2016 (all at Hawthorn)
Premierships: 2008 (captain), 2013, 2014, 2015
Hawthorn captain: 2008-2010
AFL Rising Star: 2003
Draft history: Pick No.36 in the 2001 national draft

AAP