Richmond's Troy Simmonds will play his last AFL match early next month against St Kilda, allowing the AFL's bottom-placed club to further fast-track their next generation of ruckmen.

Including the farewell encounter against the Saints, Simmonds will finish his career on 197 games in 12 seasons for three clubs - Melbourne, Fremantle and Richmond.

The 31-year-old has battled a knee complaint this year, but said he was unconcerned to be retiring three matches short of the 200-game milestone.

"I've got no regrets. I'm really proud of what I've achieved and really it's just a number, whether it's 197 or 200," he said on Thursday.

"The timing was right for the club.

"I've decided the time is now for me to step down and it is really a great opportunity for our three young ruckmen in Ty (Vickery), Angus (Graham) and Andrew Browne."

Simmonds' retirement will leave Ben Cousins - who turns 32 next month - as the only player aged in his 30s on the Tigers' young list.

The 23-year-old Graham is their oldest remaining ruckman.

Simmonds won't play in winless Richmond's clash against Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium on Saturday.

Simmonds played in the Demons' losing 2000 grand final side in just his second season, where he was taken off in a neck brace after a heavy hit from Essendon's Michael Long.

He moved to the Dockers in 2002 and was then transferred to the Tigers three years later, finishing third in their best and fairest award in 2006.

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