GEELONG'S inaugural AFLW captain Melissa Hickey has announced her retirement.

One of the pioneers of women's football, Hickey played 25 AFLW games after a distinguished 105-game career in the VFLW with Darebin that yielded seven premierships.

WATCH IT LIVE How to follow the AFLW this weekend

She spent the first two seasons in the AFLW with Melbourne, before crossing to Geelong to represent the side where her grandfather Reg was a playing and coaching legend.

"It really has been a childhood dream to be able to come to Geelong and pull on the hoops," Hickey said in a statement on Thursday.

"I will be forever grateful to the Geelong Football Club for the opportunity to lead such an incredible group of women.

I have been so fortunate across my career to play for three incredible clubs, Darebin, Melbourne and Geelong and I will cherish the friendships I have made and the people I have had the pleasure of working with

- Melissa Hickey

"Every single one of them have added to my life in some way.

 "Thank you doesn’t feel like enough, but I would like to thank the clubs I have played for, the teammates I have played with, the coaches and staff I have worked with and the fans for their support.

"Football has allowed me to grow as a person and find a place where I could live out my passion."