Retirement had played on his mind for some time with the two-time Gillies Medal winner keen to properly start the next chapter of his life with wife Danielle.

In fact, he almost hung up the boots at the end of the 2020 season.

"I pondered a bit about it last year but I just wasn't real happy with the covid season," George said.

"It didn't feel like a proper season so I wanted to go one more and have a bit of a normal season to finish on but it didn't pan out that way anyway."

George kept his decision quiet as well. The three-time AFL North West premiership winner didn't want anyone trying to talk him out of it.

From a playing perspective, it's an easy argument to make that the 31-year-old could play on.

He was again one of Gunnedah's best in 2021, appearing in the coach's votes five times from 11 matches.

George was also prominent in the Gillies Medal vote count. He finished in sixth in 2021 with 10 votes next to his name.

But George has his reasons for retiring.

For starters, he knows he's had a good run in his AFL North West career which started back in 2008.

"I had 14 good seasons and I was pretty lucky to play without many major injuries," George said.

"I missed half a season with a knee and apart from that I had a pretty good run. I didn't want to take it for granted.

"I just thought it's better to go out on top rather than potentially with another injury. I didn't want to push it.

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"I've played a lot of sport as a kid and growing up. I want to leave a bit left in the body for when I get a bit older and have kids and stuff.

"I don't want to be all busted up."

He won't be lost to the club completely.

The man who played 180 games for Gunnedah said he'll still be around for home games when he can but George is looking forward to not having the full-time commitment.

But what will he be doing exactly?

"Not too much, just spend a bit of time with the wife. I got married last year toward the end of the year," George said.

"Not having a commitment will be the biggest thing I think... Not having to go to training and commit to those weekends away."

The five-time Gunnedah best and fairest winner said he'll miss the socialising the most, having met some great mates along the way.

Among those mates is John Woolaston who George said had influenced him the most over the years.

"He's been there since I started and he's probably one of the only ones left still playing that was playing when I started," George said.

"Not just on the field but he has a lot of commitment to the club off the field as well. That inspired me a bit in my younger years to get involved with the committee and that sort of thing,"

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