Jonathan Brown, Lance Franklin, Nick Riewoldt, Brendan Fevola … just some of the names Scott Thompson lists as his toughest opponents.

It shows the calibre of defender he was, and still is, to be tasked with such huge tasks over his stellar 238-game AFL career.

Thompson the epitome of a mantra held dear at North Melbourne; ‘Never Beaten’.

He niggled, scrapped and fought, desperate not to give his rivals an inch.

Shinboner 941 will go down as one of the finest defenders in a rich, 150-year history of the club.

“He’s going to leave a real hole in our team that someone’s going to have to fill,” coach Rhyce Shaw said.

“The whole team relies on what Scotty does. It’s not just the defenders, it’s everyone.”

From playing at South Barwon in 2006, to lining up in famous royal blue and white stripes barely a year and a half later in the AFL, Thompson’s rise was nothing short of remarkable.

By 2013, he was an All-Australian and a Syd Barker Medalist.

“The year I got drafted, I think I was the only player that got drafted from the VFL,” Thompson said.

“Back then it was a bit difficult being drafted at 21, but I wouldn’t change anything, I loved it. ”

Now, as a 33-year-old, having achieved so much in 12 seasons, Thompson retires as the 17th most capped player in North’s history.  

“(It was) probably physical more than anything,” he said of his decision to retire.

“I’m slowing up a little and I just don’t want to go into a season, and not know if I can make it through.

“Probably the hardest thing was telling a few of my teammates I was finishing up. I’ll miss them.”

PRESS PLAY above to watch Thompson's retirement speech.