Gold Coast aren’t anticipating a busy AFL free agency and trade period despite the retirement of veteran Jared Brennan on Thursday.

Brennan called time on his 173-game career in typically laconic style with the Suns issuing a short statement to reveal the news.

Following the delisting of five players last week, Brennan’s retirement means the club have freed up the six spots they wanted to ahead of this year’s draft.

Suns football manager Marcus Ashcroft says it’s unlikely the club will be making any significant player movements before then.

“We’ll make sure we see who’s available and see what discussions we’ll have with other clubs,” Ashcroft told reporters.

“If there’s a fit, we’ll look at it but, at this point, we’re not thinking we’re going to be overly active.”

Brennan’s lost passion for the game was behind his decision, Ashcroft said.

The former Brisbane Lion, who debuted in 2003 and joined the Suns for their foundation year in 2010, had struggled before for motivation to keep his football career going.

He admitted he’d almost given the game away at the end of the 2012 campaign when he ended the year in the Suns’ reserves.

The 29-year-old Darwin product says he wants to spend more time with his family before exploring options for a post-football career.

“Sad day when any of your players leaves but especially one of Jared’s calibre,” Ashcroft said.

“He’s been with us for three years and was one of our first uncontracted players. He served us really well, one of only a few players to have played 50 games for our club.

“To play at the elite level, you need to have your mind, body and soul committed to it. He just doesn’t have that any more.”