TRIBUTES have flowed in for decorated Williamstown captain Adam Marcon after he announced his retirement from the VFL this week.

Marcon, 29, played 161 VFL matches and kicked 110 goals for Williamstown, Richmond and the Northern Blues and two AFL matches for the Tigers in 2016, and was appointed captain of the Seagulls in 2018, the club he spent two stints at for 106 appearances.

The gutsy goalkicking midfielder played in the Seagulls' 2015 premiership and won the Fothergill-Round (now Fothergill-Round-Mitchell) Medal for the most promising young player in the competition before being taken by Richmond in that year’s rookie draft.

He was named in the VFL Team of the Year in 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2017 and won VFL best-and-fairests at the Blues in 2012 and Richmond in 2016 – and probably would have had a fifth if AFL-listed players were eligible.

Marcon also won the 2014 Frank Johnson Medal for best-on-ground in the VFL’s state game against the SANFL and was named the VFL Coaches best player in 2012.

Premiership teammate Michael Gibbons, now playing for Carlton, led the tributes to Marcon, tweeting: "The man's a genuine player, congrats legend, see you at the reunions", while Collingwood head of player engagement and former Williamstown general manager Chris Dixon said Marcon "deserves every accolade. Just an outstanding career and an even better human."

Channel 7 commentator Jason Bennett said: "One of the modern-day greats of the VFL competition. Always a pleasure to watch or catch up with a chat. Congratulations on a fantastic career and thank you for your wonderful contribution to the league," and Casey Radio's Brent Sternberg tweeted "A great career and an even better bloke. Leaves quite a legacy at one of the VFL's iconic clubs. Well played skipper."

The Box Hill Hawks called Marcon "A wonderful player and outstanding leader," saying "the competition was always better for his presence. Best wishes for the next step!"

Williamstown CEO Jason Reddick told the club website "History will no doubt recognise Adam as a player highly respected by his peers and a great leader who has made an enormous contribution to our club.

"Aside from his individual and team achievements, it is his profoundly positive impact on the people at Williamstown Football Club which will be the lasting legacy he leaves behind."

But the final word goes to Marcon himself.

"I felt this year was always going to be my last and therefore I was able to appreciate every moment knowing that it may end abruptly as it has," he told Josh Conway on williamstownfc.com.au.

"I am so grateful for the games we did get to play this year, in particular my life membership game in round three against Port Melbourne.

"I'm now really excited to spend more quality time with my family and give them the support that they have afforded me over my journey.

"I've made some great friends on and off the field at the club, and I can look back at my VFL career knowing that I gave it my all," Marcon said.

Twitter: @BRhodesVFL

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