North Melbourne forward Jarrad Waite has announced his retirement from AFL football, after 16 seasons in the league.

Waite will play his 244th and last match of his career this Sunday against St Kilda.

The 35-year old played 184 for Carlton before switching to the Kangaroos where he's completed 59 games in four seasons with the club.

Veteran defender Scott Thompson and Waite had been informed by the club their playing futures remained unclear until after the trade period where they then would be confirmed.

The forward, who has booted 374 goals in his 16 seasons at the top level, seemed to take matters into his own hands by stepping away from the game as he believes it is the right time to call it a day on what has been a stellar career.