![]() Adelaide Crows star Scott Thompson announced that he will retire at the end of the season, after 17 seasons playing at both Melbourne and the Crows. Thompson has played 308 AFL games throughout his career, but has only played at AFL level once this year. The 34-year old said that he had warned his teammates that if they slacked off, he would take their spot in the senior team. "I told the players, 'Don't slacken up, because I'm right up your a**e and I'll take your spot if you don't watch it," Thompson told reporters on Tuesday. Thompson has polled the most Brownlow Medal votes than any other Crows player, and finished third in 2012. He won back-to-back Malcolm Blight Medals in 2011 and 2012 and was also an All Australian in 2012. Thompson stated that he was privileged to play AFL for so long, despite spending most of the season playing in the SANFL. "I consider it an absolute privilege to have played at the elite level for so many years," Thompson said. "I entered this season knowing it was most likely my last and it has turned out to be one of my most rewarding. "While playing (the) majority of the season in the SANFL, I have realised how much I love the game and in particular helping and mentoring the younger players, and seeing them develop." The Crows veteran was drafted by Melbourne with pick number 16 in the 2000 National Draft. Thompson played 39 games for the Demons before he was traded to the Adelaide Crows at the end of the 2004 season. Crows coach Don Pyke labelled the midfielder a "fantastic leader" and "true champion of the Adelaide Football Club" when speaking to reporters on Tuesday. "From the day he arrived at the club he has been a fantastic leader both on and off the field who has helped those around him improve," Pyke said. "To play such at such a high standard for more than 300 games is a credit to him and his professional approach to the game and he will leave a long-standing legacy at the club." The Crows veteran is still chasing the dream of becoming a premiership player, and still hopes to do so before he hangs up the boots this year. "If fairytales happen, I'll certainly put my hand up for it, but I know exactly where I sit at the moment and worry about what I can control and who knows what happens from there," Thompson said. "I spoke to the boys about doing whatever it takes to chase that ultimate success. "I've played in three losing preliminary finals, 2005, 2006 and 2012, where I thought we had a team that I thought was capable of going all the way, and for whatever reason, it didn't happen. "I'm chasing the Grand Final dream at the moment." Thompson thanked his family, teammates, coaches and club staff for helping him progress in his AFL career. "It is a tough industry and success is hard to achieve unless you have a lot of support and I have been fortunate to have an amazing family, especially my beautiful kids Ava and Harry," he said. "To the Crows members and supporters, I would like to say thanks and there is no doubt you are the most passionate in the country. "The current group is not just full of talent, but also great blokes who have a genuine care for each other and a desire for team success."
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