He suffered his first serious knee injury in 2016, in a clash against Hawthorn, and two years later he injured his other knee at the MCG against Collingwood, ruling him out of the club’s fourth premiership later that year.
“Nic has been a legacy player for our football club and has been one of the most influential players of his generation,” Eagles coach Adam Simpson said.
“Sadly, he is the third club great to retire in the last three weeks.
“In some respects it is the end of an era, and we will certainly miss Nic.
You never want this day to come, but it always does and I’m content in the knowledge that I have given it everything.
The ruckman, who has played 213 AFL games for the Eagles since being taken with pick two in the 2008 national draft, joins club skipper Luke Shuey and premiership captain Shannon Hurn in hanging up the boots in recent weeks.
Naitanui, who endured two knee reconstructions during his career, has been unable to play this season because of an achilles tendon injury.
The 33-year-old said he was content he had made the “best decision for the club, myself and my family”.
“I feel like I have exhausted every avenue to work my way through my injury, but my body is sending a strong message that it is time,” Naitanui said.
“Being a power athlete who has relied on my ability to jump throughout my career this injury was probably going to take that away from me.
“I am also looking at a lengthy rehabilitation from my latest surgery and there are no guarantees of making it back to AFL level even if everything goes to plan.”
“In the last couple of years when he has been limited in the amount of games he has played, his impact around the group has remained significant.
“There have been few ruckman in history to have a bigger impact on the game, and he will always hold a special place in the history of the club.”
