Retiring Crows defender Ben Rutten hopes to move into the AFL coaching ranks once he finishes his playing career.

Rutten announced his retirement from AFL football at the conclusion of the 2014 season on Tuesday morning. The 225-game veteran has been one of the Club’s most respected players, and said he was eager to move into the world of coaching once he hung up the boots for the final time.

“It’s something I’m really passionate about and really keen to get into,” the 2005 All-Australian said.

“I’ve spent the last three to five years doing some work behind the scenes in terms of preparing for life after footy.

Rutten said the support of senior coach Brenton Sanderson and Crows defensive coach Darren Milburn had helped the 31-year-old make his first steps towards the coaches box.

“Sando and Dash have been great in terms of helping me and giving me a bit more freedom in developing my coaching skills.”

“I think I’m ready to transition into a coaching career. I feel like we’ve got a really talented, great young group of players.”

The impact of Rutten on nurturing Adelaide’s impressive crop of young defenders cannot be underestimated.

Having played alongside 2012 NAB Rising Star Daniel Talia, Luke Brown, Rory Laird, Brodie Smith and Kyle Hartigan throughout recent years at West Lakes, Rutten said he was confident the Crows would have the defensive stocks to remain competitive for years to come.

“Our young defenders at the moment are really enthusiastic and they’re going to be the nucleus of our team for the next ten years,” Rutten said.

“I feel as though I’ve had an impact on their careers, and I’m definitely going to be following their progression.

“I hope I’ve taught them about being consistent, being reliable and to be counted upon by your teammates. They’re the values that I’ve based my career on.

“Hopefully I’m remembered for those sort of things.”

After describing Rutten as “one of the best three full backs of the last decade”, Crows coach Brenton Sanderson said Rutten had all the innate qualities of a successful AFL coach.

“He’s got the attributes to be a senior coach, no question,” Sanderson said.

“He’s been instrumental with the work he has done in mentoring and educating our young defenders. He has almost been like an assistant coach to me in the last two and a half years anyway.

““I think he will walk into a development role or an assistant coaching role straight away.”