If there’s one trait Daniel Wells wants to be remembered for, it’s ‘selflessness’.

While he could do things on the footy field others only dreamt of, it was his ability to bring his teammates into the game which made him so valuable.

Retiring after 258 games, 243 of those as a Kangaroo, Wells reflects proudly on his impact.

“That's one thing from my career; people would say, 'Take it on, just take it on'. I always did what I thought was best for the team,” he told AFL.com.au’s Ben Collins.

“… often that meant passing the ball and enabling teammates to kick goals. I enjoyed doing that."

While Wells averaged a more-than-respectable 19 disposals a game throughout his career, at his best he was one of the most dangerous players in the competition.

“Some of my best games were low-possession ones. I'm all about impact,” he said.

“That's why I enjoy watching (Bulldog Marcus) Bontempelli – he only needs 15 or 20 touches to control the game. I tried to play like that.

“When I got the ball I tried to put the whole field on notice that, 'I can use your man, or I can run with it'.”

It’s only fitting Wells is looking to get into a development role, now his playing days are over.

“I tell these young kids: 'When you get the ball you control the game, so open your vision and get yourself in a position to do a few things – short kick, long kick, take it on. Don't just give yourself one option'.”

And when it came to thinking outside the square, Wells’ famous ‘Jackie Chan’ goal stands out like no other.

The then 19-year-old produced a piece of individual brilliance to help North to victory in a game against Fremantle in 2004. It’s a goal he remembers fondly.

“I'd hardly done anything in that game so it was a good time to do something,” Wells joked.

“'Simmo' (then North captain Adam Simpson) was big on third-man-up in ruck duels and we waxed a bit, so that time I jumped up and grabbed it and thought, 'I'll just kick it.'

“It still gets brought up by kids now and I think, 'Hey, you weren't even born then'.

“It was a great moment in my career. I won a car from it, which was a big deal for a young fella.”

Wells retired 14th on North's all-time players list, won two Syd Barker Medals, and respresented his country three times in the International Rules Series.