Ants legend Tom Wilson announces VFL retirement

Five-time Laurie Hill Trophy winner Tom Wilson has hung up the boots.

The Preston Football Club would like to congratulate former captain Tom Wilson, who has announced his retirement from the VFL after a decorated 176-game career.

Wilson, who played 140 games for the Northern Blues/Northern Bullants before joining Collingwood and adding another 36 games to his tally, earnt VFL life membership earlier this year.

He made his debut for Ants in 2011 and became a regular in the senior side by 2013 (the same year he tied with Kane Lambert for the Jamie Shaw Award as club leading goalkicker).

Wilson's first Laurie Hill Trophy was won in 2014, which was followed by a second in 2016 (the season he became Northern Blues captain) and a third in 2018.

After the cancellation of the 2020 season and the end of Northern's alignment with Carlton, Wilson stuck with the reborn Bullants, going back-to-back in the Laurie Hill count for the 2021 and 2022 seasons.

After 140 games at Cramer Street, Wilson joined Collingwood in 2023. He was recognised with VFL life membership after his 175th game in round 21 of this season, playing his final match in the Wildcard Round a week later.

Forever an Ants legend with five club best-and-fairests to his name – congrats Tommy!