North Melbourne premiership midfielder Shannon Grant will retire at the end of this season, admitting his body could no longer cope with the rigours of AFL football.

Grant, 31, announced his decision on Tuesday ahead of his 300th game - against Port Adelaide at the MCG on Saturday.

And Melbourne veterans Jeff White and Adem Yze will play their last games for the Demons against Richmond at the MCG on Sunday.

The pair were told their contracts would not be renewed as the club concentrates on pursuing a youth-based player list.

Grant, one of the Kangaroos' most decorated players, was the Norm Smith medallist in their 1999 flag-winning side, an all-Australian in 2005 and club best-and-fairest in 2001.

Grant said he wanted to leave while still a key member of the senior team but conceded he was having trouble keeping up with the modern game.

"Two or three months ago the body was starting to not recover as well as it has in the past and it took me a lot longer to get up throughout the week," he said.

"I've never had the quickest legs and they're slowly starting to go as well.

"I've always pretty much wanted to go out on my own terms, I don't think there's anything worse than going that extra year or two and end up running around in the VFL, that's something I didn't want to do.

"I think when you get to this stage of your career you know deep down when the right time is to retire."

He admitted he was not sure he would reach the 300-game mark - early last month he was suspended for a game by the club for an off-field indiscretion which was never explained.

Grant acknowledged modern football was "probably catching up with me."

"It's such a strong, quick game these days and you've really got to be on your toes," he said.

Both White, 31 and Yze, 30 still harbour ambitions of playing in the AFL next year and will nominate for the national draft.

While Yze said he was a long shot from being picked up by another AFL club, White said he still had more to offer.

"From a personal point of view, I still feel like I've got some time left," White said.

"I'm not hanging my hat on getting a spot on at an AFL club next year but I'm definitely putting my hand up to say, `Look, my mind feels good, my body feels good, I want to continue playing.'"

Yze will earn an AFL life membership on Sunday when he plays his 300th game of AFL football.

He has played 271 premiership games, 25 pre-season games, and four International Rules matches.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP