"It's an abnormal life."

Those are the words Adam McPhee borrowed from his now ex-senior coach Ross Lyon to describe what being an AFL footballer entails.
The veteran chose to give up the game he loves to be with the people he loves - his wife Bree and their two children Taj and Cove, and their families back home in Melbourne.

After 223 career games, including 81 in two stints at Fremantle, the time arrived when upon becoming a father, McPhee realised that football was no longer the only thing in his life.

"There was a time when football was my life," he said.

"It ruled my life and everything I did.

"I feel I've applied myself and prepared myself for AFL football day-in, day-out, 24/7 for the past 12 years."

It was indeed an 'abnormal life'.

"You have to watch every aspect of your life, both on and off the field," he said.

"Every day there are things that you have to do regarding fitness and football, including during your down time and days off, so that you can maximise your recovery in between training, and this affects your life too.

"Your life is always revolved around football. I feel that I'm a little bit tired of that.
"Because I have children, I'm really looking forward to having my weekends back."

He began his career at Freo in 2000 and rejoined the club in 2010, in between playing 142 games for Essendon.
As well as wanting to spend more time with his family, McPhee chose not to be traded, again, to continue his AFL career in Melbourne.

"I didn't want to come back and play with another club in Melbourne because that wouldn't necessarily change anything," he said.

"I've been through two (player) trades, the second time coming back to Fremantle, and I didn't want to do it again."
After joining Freo for the second time in 2010, McPhee bore the brunt of fan frustration and criticism, which he admitted he may have deserved at that time.

"When I came back to Freo there wasn't a great reception for me," he said.

"I can completely understand that because the expectation was high and my football wasn't at that time, up to scratch.

"While I felt the pressure to perform well for my teammates, I wanted to prove to Fremantle and the football world that I still could play.

"I felt like, in my final year, the crowd accepted me and appreciated the way I played my football."

His greatest memories as a Freo Docker on the field were the club's two elimination final wins over Hawthorn and Geelong in 2010 and 2012, respectively.

Off the field, it was his work with the club's younger players he cherished most.

"I always had a real sense of satisfaction working alongside the young players," he said.

"It was incredibly rewarding to impart my knowledge on them and to be able to see them develop and watch them grow."

Now, in his normal life, Adam McPhee can do that for his own children.