FORMER Geelong star David Wojcinski will retire from all forms of football after scans confirmed he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament playing for Newtown & Chilwell on Saturday.

Wojcinski, 32, heard the tell-tail pop in his left knee when he made a simple direction change to lay a tackle in the first quarter against Lara.

Scans this week confirmed he would require a knee reconstruction. It is the opposite knee to the one he had reconstructed in 2005.

Wojcinski yesterday conceded the season-ending injury had brought forward his retirement plans.

"I wasn't sure if I was going to play next year, so this has kind of made my mind up for me," Wojcinski said.

"I'm not going to be in any hurry to get back from this. I'm not going to be able to play this year and probably not next year as well."

Wojcinski joined the Eagles as a marquee recruit this season after calling time on a decorated AFL career that included three premierships, a VFL flag and 203 AFL games during the Cats' most dominant era.

The speedster's form in the first 11 games of the GFL season had helped the Eagles to a strong 8-3 record heading into this weekend's bye. He will remain a key part of the club's finals push by taking on a greater coaching role to support Jacob Spolding.

"I can sit in the coaches box and concentrate on that a bit more," Wojcinski said.

"I've enjoyed Newtown a lot, it's a great club.

"It's disappointing that I don't get to finish the year playing with the boys. We were going pretty well, too.

Spolding said the club was shattered for Wojcinski.

"He's been super important with his experience and helping us out," Spolding said.

"He was playing some really good football for us, so obviously it's a blow for us in that area.

"But we'll solider on and he'll continue to give us a fair bit of input over the last half of the season."

By Nick Wade

Article first appaared www.hearaldsun.com.au July 04, 2013