On the eve of the 2007 season, high-profile defender Jonathan Hay has informed the Kangaroos that he has retired from AFL football.Hay, who suffers from bipolar depression, stated that his immediate retirement was in the best interests of his health, his team mates and the club."I would like to publicly thank (senior coach) Dean Laidley and (football manager) Tim Harrington who have helped me deal with difficult issues during my time at the club,” Hay said."I wish them all well for 2007 and beyond."Kangaroos Chief Executive Rick Aylett said Hay informed the club of his decision during a meeting between Kangaroos officials and the AFL Players’ Association.The meeting was a scheduled mediation session to discuss the club’s wish to vary the terms of Hay’s contract which was in its second of three years.Aylett said the club was enormously disappointed that Hay could not continue his career, but recognised that his health must be the number one priority.Aylett described Hay as a talented and brave footballer who had contributed to improved community understanding about bipolar disorder.Hay, who was recruited to Arden Street amid much fanfare late in 2004, managed only eight senior appearances in his one full season with the Kangaroos.He played 149 matches with Hawthorn where he was an All-Australian, after being recruited from East Fremantle with selection No.36 at the 1996 NAB AFL Draft.Hay had travelled with the Kangaroos to Carrara after being named as a member of their squad to take on Collingwood on Friday night in the first round of the 2007 NAB Cup.