Tim Notting has announced he will retire after the Lions' finals campaign
BRISBANE Lion Tim Notting officially announced he will retire from AFL football at the end of the club's finals campaign.
Notting informed his teammates of his decision during the team's regular Monday review meeting.
The 30-year-old veteran of 207 matches brings to an end his accomplished AFL career which spanned 13 seasons and included two premierships (2001-02).
He was drafted from Stawell in country Victoria with pick No.26 at the 1996 AFL National Draft - the Lions' first draft as a merged entity - but didn't play senior football until the club's wooden spoon year of 1998.
His versatility has enabled him to play in a variety of roles from full-forward to full-back to rover and most recently, as a ruckman.
Notting said while it was a difficult decision to make, he felt it was the right time to move on.
"I've been thinking about retiring for a while now," Notting said.
"I eventually came to the realisation that I probably didn't have the drive to complete another pre-season.
"I'm incredibly proud to have been a part of this football club for the past 13 years and I'm really going to miss being part of it all."
Coach Michael Voss said Notting made an invaluable contribution to the Lions throughout a period of great success and will remain an important part of the club's history.
"There are only a small percentage of people who can sustain such longevity in this tough business and it's a credit to 'Possum' that he's been an important part of our club for well over a decade and 200 plus games," Voss said.
"I have enjoyed the unique pleasure of playing alongside him as well as coaching him and have always admired his ability to maximise his natural talents as a player.
"He's been able to adapt himself to different roles over the years and can be very proud of his achievements and should be congratulated for a wonderful career.
"Tim has also been a popular clubman throughout his time at the Lions and has assisted greatly in helping develop our younger crop of players in recent seasons. He will certainly be missed by the entire playing group."
Notting will remain an active part of the Lions' current finals campaign and will be available for selection for this Friday night's semi-final clash against the Western Bulldogs at the MCG.