Canberra Capitals guard Carly Wilson finished her decorated WNBL career on Saturday night the same way she started it 18 seasons ago - a winner.
The Capitals downed Townsville Fire 90-83 in Queensland to finish just one win short of a first finals appearance in six years.
Wilson, 34, retires after 363 WNBL appearances from stints at the AIS, Dandenong Rangers, Perth Lynx and the past eight seasons in the capital.
"It has been a sad weekend for me knowing it's the final one, but I think it's going to take a couple of weeks after all the end of season stuff dies down when it'll really sink in," she said.
"I'll probably get really sad when that happens but what makes it easier is knowing it's the right decision, I haven't second guessed it at all.
"I'll miss the game and everything I've loved about the WNBL for 18 years, it's been such a huge part of my life and I don't think you can really replace it, but it's definitely the right decision.
"The support I've had over the past few weeks with everyone sending out with such beautiful messages has been really overwhelming and humbling, I feel really privileged."
After winning just two games the year before, Canberra bounced back this season and were only eliminated from the playoff race with a penultimate round loss to Adelaide.
"The reason I kept playing this season is because I felt a responsibility to help get the club back to winning ways and to a better place, I think that has definitely been achieved this season," she said.
"I like to think [Marianna] Tolo and and I have had a part in that but it's also been Gorry [coach Paul Goriss] and the players, everyone has worked really hard to get us where we are.
"Winning was a perfect way to end things but obviously there is still a lot of disappointment in there from the Adelaide loss. It was important to bounce back and show some character to prove to ourselves and the rest of the league we could have been in finals, so it was good to finish the way we did."
Wilson wants to stay involved in the game and is campaigning for WNBL games to return to television with an eye towards commentary.
"The commentary thing is something I've always wanted to do. I've had a bit of experience with the ABC and now that I've retired it's something I'd really like to pursue," she said.
"The WNBL is in my blood and one way or another I'll be involved."
