Lekkas decides to hang up boots
Hawthorn midfielder Angelo Lekkas has announced his retirement.
The decision follows what has been a tumultuous year for Lekkas, the 29-year-old having suffered a stroke during a preseason match in February.
He returned to the AFL in July after being cleared to play again and made nine appearances for the Hawks.
Lekkas said he was happy with his decision to retire following the emotional struggle he had endured this year.
"With everything I've gone through this year and just the way it's panned out, it's just my time to leave the game and I've got no regrets and no problems with that," he said.
Lekkas made his debut for Hawthorn in 1996 and played 180 senior matches.
He was selected for the Victorian State of Origin side in 1999 and was a member of Australia's international rules squad in 2001.
Lekkas said his decision to retire was based on preserving his long-term health.
"I doubt I would have had another stroke but that was still a possibility but as I said, I'm not in a position where I want to flirt with that," he said.
Lekkas said he had been offered the opportunity to play with the Hawks in 2006.
"I went away and thought about playing another year, but I've got my life to think about so it was no contest," he said.
