Recently retired Richmond midfielder Daniel Jackson has reflected on a career at Tigerland which he believes has made him a better person.

Speaking to the audience at the 2014 Jack Dyer Medal event, Jackson said he left the game with no regrets, but plenty of admiration for those who have helped him along the way.

“If I’m going to be honest, footy has been tough, but I wouldn’t change a thing in the world,” he said.

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“I leave 11 years later, having played 156 games, which I’ll never forget.  But most importantly, the time I’ve spent here has made me the guy I am today.

“For that, all I can do is just give my heart-felt thanks to the footy club, and to everyone that’s been involved across the whole journey.

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“Most importantly, my team-mates, because without them, for me the game wouldn’t have meant anywhere near what it does, and I wouldn’t have survived this long.”

Jackson announced his retirement from AFL football at the end of the 2014 season, after a series of injuries cast doubt over his ability to continue to battle the rigours of the modern game.

Just 12 months earlier, he capped off a brilliant 2013 season by winning his first Jack Dyer Medal.

“If I surprised a few people last year standing up here to give an acceptance speech, I probably surprised a few more standing up here giving a retirement speech,” he said.

“But that’s footy.  Everyone who’s been around here for a while knows it’s unpredictable.  There aren’t that many people who are fortunate enough to leave with a fairytale.”