Collingwood defender Shannon Cox has retired after telling the club he no longer had the hunger to play in the AFL.

Cox, 23, informed the club of his decision on his return from the off-season break.

The running defender made a fine start to 2009, playing 11 of the first 13 games in the seniors.

But he spent the remainder of the year in the second-tier VFL.

The retirement of Cox means the Magpies will now have four selections - picks 30, 62, 78 and 94 - in the November 26 national draft.

"Shannon returned from the post-season break and decided that he no longer had the desire and hunger to commit to the demands of AFL football," Collingwood chief of football Geoff Walsh told the club's website.

"We fully expected Shannon to be part of our 2010 list - however we respect his decision to retire and wish him well."

Cox played 25 games in three seasons for Collingwood after originally being recruited as a rookie from WAFL club South Fremantle.

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