Ryan announced his retirement on Tuesday, saying he wants to devote more time to his family and career as a barrister.
He umpired 25 finals and the past five Grand Finals, including the 2011 premiership decider.
"I have achieved way more than I ever expected," Ryan said.
"I could not have wished to meet a better bunch of blokes and to be part of such a wonderful group."
AFL umpires manager Jeff Gieschen praised Ryan for an outstanding career.
"His success as an umpire was built around his great feel for the game and the players and he was an outstanding communicator who had the respect of all clubs and players," Gieschen said.
"He will be a great loss to our umpiring group but we wish he and [wife] Stacey every success with their future lives and the excitement of another child to shortly join their young family."
Ryan joins Hayden Kennedy and Michael Vozzo as experienced umpires to leave the game this year.
