In the end, it took just half a match of reserves footy to convince premiership-winning ruckman Jamie Charman that his 18-month battle with injury was over.

The Brisbane Lions stalwart officially announced he had pulled the pin on his 129-game AFL career on Wednesday, finally succumbing to an Achilles complaint.

Charman began the 2011 season full of hope that he would run out again in a senior game for the first time since round four, 2009.

And the signs were good when he took part in the Lions Reserves' most recent outing against the Gold Coast on July 23.

However, Charman realised his body would never handle AFL again when he pulled up sore from his long-awaited return.

"The boys were all really supportive and I was training hard and getting pumped about finishing the season off well," Charman said on Wednesday.

"But I played that game with the reserves and pulled up really sore.

"So after a fair bit of thought, I sat down with (girlfriend) Holly last Sunday and pretty much told her that I was going to pull the pin.

"Then I spoke with Vossy (coach Michael Voss) on Monday and told him the same thing.

"It was hard to come to that realisation initially, but once I'd made the decision, it became clear that it was the best thing for me."

The 29-year-old was drafted by the Lions with pick No.29 in 2000 and played just his second senior game in the Lions' now famous "Predator" win over Essendon in 2001 which set up their run of three straight flags.

However, he had to wait until 2003 before tasting premiership success when he usurped Clark Keating and Beau McDonald for the No.1 ruckman title.

Since then however, Charman has been plagued by injury.

"It's been very, very long. I'm pretty grateful that Vossy and the club have stuck by me - they've been fantastic for me," Charman said of his injury battles.

"The last 18 months has been very frustrating.

"The medical staff has put up with a bloody lot in the last couple of years and it's been frustrating for them at times, trying to think of ways to get me up each week.

"I've met some great people, some great supporters, some great fans.

"Some of those fans I'm still good friends with today and I hope to stay friends with them forever.

"The Brisbane people, the support they've given me has been tremendous."

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