THREE-TIME Brisbane Lions AFL premiership player Simon Black has announced his retirement from AFL football.

"I still absolutely love the game and have the passion to compete, but I just wasn't 100 per cent certain that my body could withstand the demands of another AFL season," the champion Lions midfielder said on Friday as he announced his decision at a press conference beside Lions coach Justin Lepptisch.

"My head and my heart were dragging me in two different directions, and I guess in the end the head prevailed.

"It was an incredibly tough decision, particularly as I've spent almost half my life playing AFL with the Brisbane Lions.

"I sat out under the stars the other night and thought about it one last time. My body's been so good to me, it's about time I gave it a favour back," Black said.

"The (doctor's) feedback was if I continued to play, you run the risk of permanent long-term damage and that scared me to be honest.

"I could have run the gauntlet and done that (played on), but I sit here now, very comfortable in what I've been able to achieve over my career."

Black said he was keen to explore an offer of an assistant coaching role with the Lions.

"I'm really enthusiastic and passionate about trying to develop the next generation of footballers," Black said.

"I'm thrilled that Leppa's on board to be our new coach. I'm likely to go down the path of coaching and hopefully at the Brisbane Lions."

Black reached his decision only late yesterday after discussions with new Brisbane coach Justin Leppitsch, and said his hand was forced by his body's inability to go on after 322 games.

LETHAL RATES BLACK AMONG THE BEST

"I have agonised about it, it has taken a long time to reach this point because there is no going back," Black told The Courier-Mail last night.

"I stewed over it for weeks, I probably changed my mind numerous times.

"I have been so fortunate to have the career I have had, so it is hard to walk away.

"It came down to my body.

"I wasn't happy with the medical report, and there was just too much uncertainty about how I could perform."

SIMON BLACK - A CAREER IN PICTURES

In a highly decorated 322-game career, Black won the Brownlow Medal in 2002 and the Norm Smith Medal in the 2003 grand final.

He was a key part of the Lions side that won three consecutive premierships in 2001, 2002 and 2003 and lost the 2004 grand final.

SIMON BLACK'S MAGNIFICENT CAREER:

Games: 322 (club record)

Goals: 171

Premierships: 3

Brownlow medal: 2002 (runner-up 2007, 2008)

Career Brownlow medal votes: 184

Norm Smith medal: 2003

Best and fairest: 2001, 2002, 2006

All-Australian: 2001, 2002, 2004

Club co-captain 2007-2008







Originally published as Head overrules heart for Black