West Coast Eagles games record holder and 2018 premiership captain Shannon Hurn has announced his retirement from the AFL.

Hurn, affectionately known as 'Bunga', told his teammates of his decision on Tuesday morning and he will retire at the end of the season.

"I love playing the game and I know I'm really going to miss it," Hurn said.

"But I also know the time is right.

"Unfortunately, you can't go on forever and it's time for me to step away."

Hurn, 35, was taken with pick 13 in the 2005 National Draft, after playing for Central Districts in the SANFL.

He made his debut the following year, but missed out on being part of West Coast's premiership team in 2006.

He was appointed club captain in 2015, and led the Eagles to the AFL grand final that year where they were soundly beaten by Hawthorn.

But three years later he enjoyed the game's ultimate triumph, when he and coach Adam Simpson lifted the premiership cup after a thrilling win over Collingwood.

In 2021 he became the first West Coast Eagle to play 300 games for the club. 

At a packed press conference at West Coast's Lathlain headquarters, Hurn offered an insight into his philosophy to life and football.

"From Auskick to AFL level, from the country to the city, I just think everyone can be a part of sport," he said.

"And that's what I've always aimed to do."

Hurn said he knew about halfway through the season this was his last year in the game.

"It takes so long for the body to recover," he said.

"I still want to be able to play at a high level, but the body just takes too long to recover these days.

"The game needs you to be fully invested, and I just don't think I'd be able to do that next year."

'It has been a great honour'

Hurn said he had cherished his time in WA.

"It has been a great honour to play for this football club over the last 18 years and I have loved it since the day I arrived," he said.

"There are life-long friendships and memories that have been created here and I will always be grateful for that.

"There are too many individuals to acknowledge, but I will get to as many of them as possible to thank them personally for the role they have played in my journey.

"Obviously all of my teammates, my two senior coaches – John Worsfold and Adam Simpson – as well as CEO Trevor Nisbett have all been significant. Naturally, my family has always been wonderfully supportive."

'Eagles will be fine'

Hurn said he's going to take a break from football, as he decides what to do next.

"I've done it for so long, and it's more just to do something different," he said.

"Footy is a great game, but it's a bubble at the same time, so it's just about being able to step out of that and do some different things."

Hurn said the club is in a good space, despite its struggles over the past few years.

"We will be fine but it takes hard work, commitment and sacrifice," he said about how the club will emerge from one of its darkest periods in the AFL.

"As a player, you need to individually do that yourself, not rely on others."

'An honest and humble person'

Simpson paid tribute to Hurn, saying he was one of the most consistent players he had come across in his time in the game.

"The first thing you want from your leaders is to play well," Simpson said. "And there weren't many times in his career when Bunga didn't do that.

"He is one of only three premiership captains in the history of the club and that honour is not gifted to anyone.

"He is just such an honest and humble person and it has been a privilege to have been involved in the second half of his career.