Veteran AFL midfielder Dylan Shiel has officially announced his retirement from professional football, drawing the curtain on a career spanning 234 games and two clubs.
An Emotional Farewell on Social Media
The 32-year-old confirmed the news himself through a lengthy and heartfelt Instagram post, where he reflected on his journey and expressed gratitude to both the Greater Western Sydney Giants and Essendon Football Club. Essendon had delisted Shiel at the end of the season, after he managed to feature in 14 senior games for the Bombers in his final year.
Despite initially expressing a desire to continue his career at another club, a new opportunity failed to materialise, leading to his decision to retire. In his social media statement, Shiel wrote, "Today, I close the chapter on a dream I’ve been living since I was a boy."
A Career of Highs and Lows
Shiel's football journey began at the GWS Giants, where he was drafted as a promising 17-year-old. He quickly developed into one of the league's most dynamic midfielders, earning an All-Australian blazer in 2017 during his time with the expansion club.
His move to Essendon at the end of the 2018 season was one of the trade period's biggest stories. However, his time at the Bombers was marked by increased scrutiny, alongside persistent battles with form and injury. Despite these challenges, Shiel demonstrated remarkable resilience and was noted for having one of his more consistent seasons in 2025.
He was candid about the difficulties he faced, stating, "But the truth is this: my journey wasn’t a fairytale. It was hard. It was heavy. It broke me open more than once." He added that he was proud of his ability to persevere, saying, "Yet every time the game tried to push me out, something inside me pushed back harder."
Gratitude and a Lasting Legacy
Shiel's farewell message was filled with appreciation for the people and clubs that shaped his career. He thanked the Giants for giving a "17-year-old kid" a beginning and a family. He expressed his gratitude to Essendon for "bringing me home" and allowing him to represent the proud club for seven years.
He specifically highlighted the lasting relationships forged during his career, mentioning teammates who became family, and coaches who invested in him as a person. Shiel finishes his career with a total of 234 AFL games—135 played for the GWS Giants and 99 for the Essendon Bombers.
His final reflection encapsulated his career philosophy: "You don’t always get the story you imagined — but if you keep showing up with heart, you’ll end up with a story worth telling."
