It is a decision that has been weighing on the mind of the 204-gamer but felt the time was right to call time on his career.

"I had a bit of work coming up and having young kids, and the body isn't fantastic," he said.

"I have been a bit worried about for a little while. I have been thinking about this for a couple of years. After the last couple of years that we have had I was looking pretty healthy and tried to keep going.

"I did say that I wasn't playing before it was all called (Swans not playing in 2020), but that made it (the decision) a little bit easier."

Gastin felt that playing finals footy over the last few seasons have been the highlight over his 13-year career.

"The last couple of years have been pretty good playing some finals footy because obviously, I hadn't played too much finals footy before that," he said.

"It's also he mates you make playing footy and the people that come and hang around the footy club.

"I came here when I started under 12s and still know the people that from the time at under 12s and am still mates with some of them now."

The veteran defender is confident the club will continue along the positive trajectory with the quality of young players coming through the ranks.

"In the last couple of years some of the kids who have come through have been fantastic," he said.

"Probably two years ago when we were pushing for finals, or even three years ago when some of our key players were young blokes all us old blokes looked at each other thinking we were really old then. They were helping us out and holding the team up.

"The young blokes who are coming through at the moment are looking really good."

While Gastin will take a small step back from the club, he will still be involved in the background and still look to be involved in the club into the future.

"At first I thought about stepping right away and not doing too much but I'd like to say yes but at this stage just step away for a little bit and relax for a little bit," he said.

"I'm still on the committee so that's a starting point and we will go from there."

Griffith president Jeff Harris has praised Gastin's attitude both on and off the field throughout his career.

"He has been an exceptional servant to the club over a long period of time," he said.

"Not only a great leader on the field and great with the kids coming through but also a great club person off the field.

"He is always the first person to put his hand up and make himself available for committees or working the off-site catering gigs."

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