The 225-game veteran defender will retire at the end of the 2014 season.
The Adelaide Crows have announced defender Ben Rutten will retire from AFL football at the end of the 2014 season.
Rutten, affectionately known as ‘Truck’, has played 225 games for the club – a tally which will increase as the Crows look to make a late charge at finals football.
The 31-year-old said he had decided a few months ago that this would be his last season.
“I always wanted to finish up while I was still contributing to the team and matching it with the best forwards,” he said.
“No doubt the time is right, and I leave knowing the Club is blessed with a talented and motivated playing group, which is destined for success.”
Adelaide coach Brenton Sanderson said Rutten was a great influence on the club’s younger defenders.
“Truck has had the better of many of the best forwards over the years,” he said.
“His ability to adapt and keep up with the changes in the game has been first class.
“In recent times, his mentoring work with our young defenders has been invaluable.
“They will be better players for having worked with Truck.”
Rutten was overlooked twice in the National Draft and was selected at number 40 at the 2002 Rookie Draft, and was an All-Australian in 2005.
