Gold Coast’s quest to win their first ever match at Patersons Stadium has been made harder as an emotionally-charged West Coast aims to celebrate champion Darren Glass' retirement with a round thirteen victory over the SUNS.

The Eagles’ longest-serving captain announced his immediate retirement from AFL football on Thursday morning, with hip and ankle problems restricting Glass from producing anywhere close to his career best performances.

“I have really been struggling to back up from one game to the next,” Glass said.

“It is time for me to step aside and give someone else a go.

“Playing consecutive games has been a real challenge for me and as much as I am still mentally sharp and I enjoy coming to the club and training every day, physically I just can’t get to the levels that I want to play at and the levels the team needs.

“It has been a tough decision, but I am comfortable that it’s the right decision.”

Whilst the 270-game workhorse would have loved nothing more than to guide the Eagles out of their form slump, his selfless exit will undoubtedly fuel his teammates behind closed doors.

The Western Australia powerhouse has won just four games from the opening 11 rounds, with the club sitting 11th on the premiership table.