Fremantle Football Club pays tribute to pressure forward Sam Switkowski, after he announced on Wednesday that he will retire from football at the end of Fremantle’s AFL finals campaign. 

The 29-year-old has spent nine years in purple and will head into next week’s Qualifying Final poised on 127 AFL games. 

Switkowski says the decision is family driven with he and wife Savannah expecting their first baby.  

An emotional Switkowski informed teammates of his decision at the end of a team meeting this afternoon. 

“It’s definitely been something that I’ve been thinking about for a long time,” said Switkowski. 

“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.

“It’s been a tough decision because the journey’s been so incredible. I’ve absolutely loved my time at Freo.  

“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 says he’s happy to retire a one Club player.  

“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 never thought I’d have made it into the AFL, let alone play close to 130 games now and be in the system for almost a decade. 

“I’m so grateful for the experience, it’s just been a privilege to be able to do this as a job for so long. I’m incredibly proud for what I’ve achieved and for what the Club has been able to achieve and transform into over my journey.

“The love I’ve developed for the Club over the time I’ve been here has just never made me want to play anywhere else. The latter part of my career has become less about my own individual accomplishments, and me as a footballer, but just what I can do to serve this Club and give back and put it in the best position to succeed. 

“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.” 

Raised in Melbourne’s north east, Switkowski represented Vic Metro in the 2014 U18 National Championships before joining the Box Hill Hawks the following year. Drafted from the VFL as a 21-year-old with pick No.73 in the 2017 AFL Draft, Switkowski made his AFL debut in Round 21, 2018. 

Known for his football IQ, pressure acts, and dogged determination to get the best out of himself, Switkowski was elevated to the leadership group ahead of season 2023. 

He finished inside the top 10 of the Doig Medal count on four occasions (10th in 2021, 6th in 2023, 5th in 2024 and 8th last season), won Best Clubman in 2022 and the Beacon Award as the Club’s best young player in 2019.  

Fremantle Executive General Manager of Football Joe Brierty said the Club understands Switkowski’s decision. 

“We’ve been having ongoing discussions with Sam and his management across the year as our focus was to look to extend his playing career with the club beyond 2026,” said Brierty. 

“As it became clearer that Sam had decided to head back home to be around family and friends before starting the next phase of his life with Sav, and the impending arrival of their first son - we understood and respected his decision. 

“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. 

“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.”