Retiring after a remarkable 15-year football career, Clayton finished on a high at the weekend when he won his fifth A.R. McLean Medal for the Magpies' best and fairest player.

Clayton, who moved to the Magpies in 2005 after playing eight games in two seasons with AFL side North Melbourne, said he felt privileged to have played for such a successful club.

"Playing finals in my early days was certainly a highlight but the whole journey has been a highlight and it's been great to play for such a successful footy club," he said.

Clayton remembered 2005 his first season at Port as a great season, both personally and at club-level.

He won the Magarey Medal for the SANFL's best and fairest player and his beloved Magpies made the preliminary final. "That was the best year we had so I guess that stands out among everything else," Clayton said.

Despite his consistent form last season, Clayton felt it was the right time to retire.

"I'm really happy with my decision and it was a great way to finish," Clayton said. "I've got two young children now and I need to spend more time at home."

Although his time in the AFL was limited, Clayton said he 'wouldn't give it back for the world'. "It's every boy's dream, although it's a really tough environment when you're between the 25th and 40th best player at the club," he said.

The only regret in Clayton's fantastic career was not winning a premiership.

"The main reason we play footy is to win a flag I unfortunately didn't get to experience that, but I had a great time along the way," he said.

Clayton has come a long way since making his senior Wimmera Football League debut for Warrack Eagles at just 15 years of age.

From there, he went through the North Ballarat Rebels development program before he got his chance with the North Ballarat Roosters in the VFL.

"Going through the Rebels program with Gary Fletcher and then onto the Roosters with Gerard FitzGerald both Gary and Gerard were massive influences of mine and they really sowed the seeds of me turning into an adult, so a lot of thanks has got to go to them," Clayton said.