Experienced Adelaide defender Luke Brown has announced his AFL retirement after 189 games with the Club.

The highly respected 29-year-old informed teammates and coaches of his decision in the past 24 hours, drawing the curtain on an 11-year career at West Lakes.

Brown was pre-listed by GWS from his SANFL club Norwood ahead of the 2011 draft before being traded to Adelaide.

He debuted in 2012 and went on to play 189 games including in seven finals while establishing himself as one of the Club’s most consistent and reliable defenders.

Throughout his career he was regularly handed the assignment of quelling the opposition’s most dangerous forwards and finished third in the Club’s best and fairest in 2020.

Brown said he had been contemplating his future in the game for the past couple of months and was comfortable with his decision to retire.

“I’d like to thank the club for the journey, I’ve spent a third of my life here and with a young family I am now ready for the next chapter,” Brown said.

“I remember being overlooked in my draft year in 2010 and to be given the chance to play AFL in my home state the year after is something I was very grateful for.

“So to be here 11 years and 189 games later is something I’ll forever be proud of.

“My first game was memorable as were all the finals I got to play in, and as disappointing as the grand final in 2017 turned out to be, to have that opportunity at the top level is something I will always cherish.

“I’ll leave with lifelong friendships and always be proud to have played my career at the Adelaide Football Club.”

Crows Coach Matthew Nicks said Brown retired as one of the most respected players in the locker room.

“Browny’s playing career speaks for itself, 189 AFL games of the highest quality and someone you could always rely on,” Nicks said.

“And as one of our most experienced players, his influence in recent years in helping the development of our younger players has been just as important and that’s part of the legacy he leaves here.

“We will miss Browny but he will always be welcome back and we wish him, his wife Ingrid and their daughter Aurora all the very best with the next phase of life.”