One of the most extraordinary nights in AFL history was as good as the premiership that got away for Kangaroos defender Jason McCartney.

The Bali bombing victim made an emotional comeback to senior football in Melbourne, kicking a goal and setting up the sealer as his side beat Richmond by three points.

Team-mates mobbed McCartney at the final siren and moments later he announced his immediate retirement from the game.

McCartney's comeback was the centrepiece of the remembrance of the October 12 Bali bombings last year, with a pre-match ceremony honouring the Australians who died.

McCartney, who suffered life-threatening burns in the blast, wore the numbers 88 and 202 on the front of his jumper to honour the Australian fatalities and the total number of dead in the terrorism attack.

He was chaired from the ground and McCartney later said the extraordinary match made up for the low-point of his AFL career - missing the Kangaroos 1999 premiership through suspension.

"I've played in a losing one (1998 grand final) and to get rubbed out before that (premiership) in 1999 and see the emotion of the guys - that was my grand final tonight and I'm just happy to go out on a high," he said.

"I'm realistic - my body is still healing.

"Although I can get out there and do things, I'm pushing it to the limit.

"I think I've achieved everything I want to in footy.

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