Carlton's 201-game veteran Ryan Houlihan has announced his AFL retirement just three days before Sunday's elimination final against Essendon at the MCG.

The 29-year-old has played only six senior games in 2011.

Houlihan will attempt to play out the season with VFL feeder team the Northern Bullants, although he is battling a bruised heel injury.

"Football's been good to me, but with form and injury I thought my time had come to step away," Houlihan said on Thursday in a statement.

"I would have loved to achieve ultimate success in winning a premiership, but you can't always get the fairytale ending.

"I'm proud that I ended on good terms and that Ill be able to walk back into the place in two, three, four or five years time with my head held high, and see my photo up on the wall as a 200-game Carlton player."

Houlihan kicked 127 goals in his 201 games. He was fourth in Carlton's best and fairest award in 2007.

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