The 33-year-old veteran midfielder yesterday announced the round 12 clash against the Cats will be his final AFL appearance.

Speaking on 3AW last night Geelong coach Mark Thompson said Schwass' retirement would make it a tough match for the Cats.

``There was speculation he was going to retire and I hoped he'd already played his last game,'' Thompson said.

``I know that he's well loved among the players and that they'll certainly try and see him out of the game on a winning note, but that's just another challenge for us.

``It's going to make it that little bit tougher.''

Thompson supported Schwass' decision and said to play on without a passion for the game would be an injustice to what has been a great career.

Schwass has played 281 games with the Kangaroos and Sydney and won best and fairest awards with both clubs.

He was also a key member of North Melbourne's 1996 premiership team.

``I've been thinking about it (retirement) for a while now, and with that being the case obviously my motivation hasn't been what it should have been,'' Schwass said yesterday.

``My pre-season was interrupted and with a few niggling injuries I'm not enjoying my football as much as I should.

``I also believe I'm holding a spot which one of the younger blokes could take ownership of for possibly another decade, and those youngsters are the future of this club.''