Inaugural Fremantle captain and AFLW pioneer Kara Antonio has announced her retirement from football after seven AFLW seasons.

Adding to the occasion, the 30-year-old will come off the injury list to play a farewell game against Hawthorn this Saturday for her final time at Fremantle Oval.

Antonio has missed the first nine rounds of Season 7 following hamstring surgery and said she had thought long and hard about the decision to hang up her boots.

“When you get injured, the worst things probably go through your mind – whether you can keep going and get back,” Antonio said.

“The high performance and medical team have been incredible. To get me in a position to where I’m able to get back and play, I’m very grateful.

“To have my last farewell game and the last game of the season at home is pretty special.”

Antonio has been Fremantle’s forward line coach in Season 7 after suffering the hamstring injury at training in July.

She said she never gave up hope of returning this season and has stepped up training in recent weeks.

Recruited from Swan Districts, Antonio captained Fremantle for the first five AFLW seasons before handing over the honour to Hayley Miller.

Amongst her many accolades includes All-Australian selection (2017) and leading Club goal-kicker (2017).

After moving west from Victoria, Antonio was signed by Fremantle in 2016 as a marquee player for the inaugural AFLW season.

A warrior on field, she has displayed purple pride and passion over 46 AFLW games and believes football has played a huge part in her life.

“I’ve enjoyed every second of it, the highs and the lows,” said Antonio.

“It’s made me a better person, a better wife, a better leader, a better friend.

“I’m really looking forward to the week ahead, enjoying it – just getting out there one last time in the purple jumper on Saturday.

Fremantle will be looking for a third win of Season 7 when they host Hawthorn at Fremantle Oval at 4.10pm on Saturday afternoon.