Garrick Ibbotson said farewelling football with a premiership win didn’t make retiring from the game he loved any easier.

As a part of Peel’s grand final winning side against Subiaco at Domain Stadium on Sunday, Ibbotson experienced a win in his first grand final since his junior days.

The defender goes out having played 177 games during 11 seasons for Freo, but missed the 2013 AFL Grand Final with an achilles injury.

“(It's emotional) knowing that I wouldn’t be back out there again and thinking about all the boys that I’ve played footy with for a long time,” Ibbotson said.

“It’s a bit hard now even, knowing it’s my last time. To finish with a premiership was emotional.”

Ibbotson said retiring was made easier knowing he had a baby on the way.

“I saw 'Subes' (Nick Suban) who's here with his son Jack, his little boy - and 'Gu' (assistant coach Brent Guerra) has a baby on the way any day now,” Ibbotson said.

“I’m looking forward to that, I think it’s one of those things that’s made my transition from footy a bit easier, knowing I have a baby on the way."

Ibbotson thanked his family and said it was a privilege to play in his home state and in front of those close to him every other week.

“My wife Sophie’s had a lot of footy in her life, she’s been terrific for the past six years,” Ibbotson said.

“My mum and dad have obviously been around. I’m a Perth boy and they’ve been at almost every game. 

“It’s really good to have them around and to be at home, which I have been for a long time. We’ll move on with something different now for the rest of our lives.”