Watch Simon Prestigiacomo, Mick Malthouse and Eddie McGuire address the media on Tuesday.

Collingwood’s 233-game veteran Simon Prestigiacomo has announced his retirement from AFL football.

The 32-year-old enjoyed a distinguished 15-year career in the black and white stripes after being drafted by the Magpies with the 10th overall pick, in the first round of the 1995 AFL Draft from the Northern under 18s in Victoria.

Click here to send your messages of thanks to Prestigiacomo for his contribution to the club.

He made his debut in round 11 of the 1996 season and finishes his outstanding career at number 14 on the list of most games played in the history of Collingwood.

Prestigiacomo twice finished in the top-five in the club’s best-and-fairest (3rd - 2000, 4th - 2005), and became renowned as one of the most reliable and disciplined key defenders in the league.

His courage and ability to play through injury were traits that made him one of the most respected players within the club.

Click here to view a photo gallery of Prestigiacomo's career.

A member of the 2002 and 2003 grand final teams, Prestigiacomo was extremely close to being a premiership player in 2010. He was named in the 22 for the first grand final against St Kilda, only to selflessly pull himself out of the side, paving the way for Nathan Brown to play.

“I’d like to thank everyone associated with the Collingwood Football Club for their support over the past 15 years, which is nearly half my life,” said Prestigiacomo.

“It’s been a long and very enjoyable journey.”

“I had a few doubters when I first came to the club but I was fortunate enough to prove that I had something to offer, and I’m very grateful to Mick Malthouse and everyone at Collingwood for giving me the opportunity to have the career I did.”

Senior coach Mick Malthouse announced that from 2011 onwards, the club’s first draft pick each year, who is new to AFL, will wear the number 35 guernsey for one season, in honour of greats such as Prestigiacomo and Peter Daicos. Malthouse went onto praise Prestigiacomo for an outstanding career.

“Simon not only held up the backline, but he was such a magnificent contributor to the success of the side in returning to a position of competitiveness over the course of his career,” said Malthouse.

“In my time in football Simon is without doubt one of the best people I’ve encountered. He gets on so well with his teammates, and does anything for his teammates.”