Brisbane ruckman Trent West announces retirement

Brisbane Lions ruckman Trent West has announced his retirement from AFL football.

West is expected to play his final game in the NEAFL this weekend.

The 28-year-old played 54 career games with Geelong, including the 2011 premiership, before being traded to Brisbane at the end of the 2013 season.

He played 16 games with the Lions in three season, but his career up north was ultimately cut short by persistent knee injuries.

West suffered an ACL injury in 2014 and managed two games last season upon his return and only four this season.

“I felt it was the right time to tell everyone. I feel like there is a weight lifted off my shoulders now,” West told the club's website.

“I probably made the decision a while ago and as the year went on that decision probably got clearer for me, mainly because of my body – my knees.

“I could’ve tried to play on for a year, but I would be battling, I reckon.

"The way I have gone this year, not being able to train during the week just so I can play on the weekend, it’s been pretty hard in that regard, just doing everything for my knee to get it up and going for each game.

“That’s probably the main reason, (however) mentally I am also ready to get on and do something else.

“In the frustration of the last couple of years I’ve had enough time to think about life after footy and I’m pretty excited for it.”