Maxwell captained Collingwood to their 2010 premiership after succeeding Nathan Buckley in the role in 2007 and was an All-Australian in 2009.

“He brought to life the notions of sacrifice and commitment," Collingwood president Eddie McGuire told the club's website on Wednesday.

"He made them real, for team-mates and fans alike.

"You couldn't pay a higher compliment to a Collingwood player who is prepared to leave his man to help out a team-mate or sacrifice his own game for the cause than to describe him as ‘Maxwell-like’."

Maxwell's season-ending ankle injury, and the reality of not playing again until 2015, was to prove a bridge too far for the 14-year, 208-game veteran.

“As I said to the boys, I've got nothing left,” Maxwell told the Collingwood website on Wednesday.

“I suppose, that’s a good way to go out. Knowing that there was nothing more I could have done or given.

“I didn't know that I would play one game, and for a time it looked as if I wouldn't, so to look back now and know that I shared in something so special...I have no regrets."

Nick Maxwell's career stats:

Matches: 208

Goals: 29 goals

Premiership: 2010

Finals: 18

Grand finals: 3

Captain: 2009-2013

All-Australian: 2009

R.T. Rush Trophy: 2009