Hawthorn AFLW vice-captain Jess Duffin has announced her retirement following six stellar seasons in the league.

The 33-year-old is an inaugural AFLW player, an All-Australian and most importantly, became a mother to beautiful Georgie in the middle of her career.

Initially drafted as a forward by Collingwood with Pick 75 in the 2016 AFL Women’s Draft, Duffin evolved throughout her career to become a premier defender at North Melbourne.

After five seasons in the AFLW, she crossed over to Hawthorn where she has played every game of the season so far as vice-captain. She also reinvigorated her career inside 50, with arguably her most memorable brown and gold moment coming in Round 6 where she kicked three goals in a match-winning performance.

Duffin reflected positively on her AFLW career and particularly her time at Hawthorn.

“As a footballer, you get to a time in your career when you know your time’s up,” Duffin said.

“I’ve loved every minute of being at Hawthorn. I’ve played six seasons of AFLW, and I can genuinely say this is the best club I’ve been at.

“I know where this group is headed, and I know what success they’ll have in the next couple of years. I’m really excited to watch the brown and gold in the next couple of years.”

AFLW Senior Coach Bec Goddard also had a few words to say about her vice-captain.

“Jess has been one of the pioneers of AFLW and we’re very grateful to have been a part of her journey,” Goddard said.

“We look forward to enjoying the last two rounds with Jess where I expect she will finish her playing career where she started - leading by example.”

Duffin will play out the remainder of the AFLW home-and-away season before officially hanging up the boots after Hawthorn’s Round 10 clash with Fremantle. Saturday night’s Round 9 game against Brisbane will be the last opportunity Victorian fans have to farewell the Hawks vice-captain.