![\"Dougal](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/73475231-10157181257403183-6928237639535427584-n.jpg\")
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AFL player Dougal Howard has retired after playing 145 games at the top level for St Kilda and Port Adelaide. Photo: St Kilda Football Club Facebook.<\/p>\n
Former Wagga Tigers and East-Wagga Kooringal Hawk player Dougal Howard has played his final game of AFL football after 12 seasons at the top level.<\/p>\n
Drafted at pick 46 in 2014, Howard has retired after 145 games, with 45 games for Port Adelaide before playing 100 with St Kilda.<\/p>\n
The intercepting defender has been restricted to just nine games since the end of the 2024 season following a severe ACL tear that has failed to fully heal.<\/p>\n
The 30-year-old was given a farewell game on Thursday night (20 August) against the Gold Coast Suns, marking 100 games for the Saints.<\/p>\n
After announcing his retirement, Howard admitted it was difficult to say goodbye to the game he has been playing for more than 20 years.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was a bit emotional, to be honest, when I spoke to the boys,\u201d Howard said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve absolutely loved my time at St Kilda. I came to Melbourne and the club as a 23-year-old, so it\u2019s been such a big part of me and my family\u2019s lives.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo have played most of my career here and seen the growth of the club over that time has been really special.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis year has been a frustrating one. I\u2019ve struggled a bit to get my body right and haven\u2019t been able to get out there as consistently as I would\u2019ve liked, but I know now is the right time to finish up my career at the Saints.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can\u2019t thank all the coaches, teammates and staff I\u2019ve worked alongside over the journey enough. These people not only allowed me to live the dream of playing professional football, but more importantly, many have become lifelong friends, which I\u2019ll always be grateful for.\u201d<\/p>\n
St Kilda\u2019s General Manager of Football Lenny Hayes thanked Howard for his contribution to the club since his move at the end of the 2019 season, stating his competitiveness and leadership made an impact both on and off the field.<\/p>\n
\u201cDougal has been a massive part of our football club, and he\u2019ll be missed around Moorabbin,\u201d Hayes said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThrough all the ups and downs, Dougal has always competed and put the team first.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs his career has progressed, we\u2019ve also seen him become an important leader and mentor for the younger players coming through.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe thank Dougal, Georgia and Charlie for everything they\u2019ve given to the club and the sacrifices they\u2019ve made along the way and wish them all the very best for their next chapter.\u201d<\/p>\n