The key defender played 117 games for the Bulls from 2011-2017 and was a member of their flag-winning sides in 2011, 2013 and 2017.

Shelton was one of Bundoora’s best performers in last year’s finals series, helping deliver the club’s third premiership in seven seasons.

Coach Ricky Dyson lauded Shelton’s influence during his career with the Bulls.

“His experience is going to be dearly missed,” Dyson said.

“But he has done a mountain of work to put some experience into the younger guys that are there.

“I have got no doubt the guys he has been teaching throughout his tenure at the foot all club will be ready to take the next step because of him.”

Midfielder Kris Bardon, who spent one season at Yulong Park, has also retired.

Key forward Isaac Muller is the other notable omission from last season’s grand final win over Macleod, joining North Albury.

“They are going to be huge losses for us,” Dyson said.

“Finding guys to put their hands up to take their spots through the practice matches and the early part of the season will be really interesting.

“I know there’s a lot of guys who are looking forward to the challenge and have laid claims to those positions.”

Bundoora has added Fitzroy Stars trio Peter Hood, Richard Bamblett and Kain Proctor, former NFL representative defender Eamon Gilbert (Avondale Heights), ex-Coburg midfielder Andrew Sturgess and Lalor pair Jarrod King and Shane Jacobs.

The Bulls will be out to become the first side since Heidelberg’s stretch of four consecutive premierships in 2006-2009 to win back-to-back flags this year.

Dyson said his side was “ready for more success”.

“After you do play in a premiership, the excitement you get from that and the feeling you share with the rest of the guys you play with and the club, you just want more of it,” he said.

“It’s such a good feeling and the club is on such a high. You want to get the people involved to that position again.”