BRISBANE Lions premiership ruckman Jamie Charman has retired, effective immediately.

Charman informed the club and his teammates of his decision recently and will hold a press conference on Wednesday morning.

The 29-year-old was drafted by the Lions with pick No.29 in the 2000 AFL National Draft and finishes his career after 129 matches.

Charman has been dogged by an Achilles injury for the past three seasons and has not played a senior match since round four, 2009.

He played his first competitive match in 16 months less than two weeks ago when he lined up for the Lions' reserves against Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium.

Charman was a member of the 2003 premiership team and will be remembered by Lions fans for his bullocking, no-nonsense attitude.

However, injury finally took its toll on the likeable big man.

Since the 2003 premiership - where he took over the No.1 rucking role from Clark Keating and Beau McDonald - it has been one injury after another for Charman.

In 2004 it was a knee injury, 2005 a lower leg fracture and 2006 a shoulder reconstruction.

After some good form in the following two seasons he was struck down with a left ankle injury against the Magpies in early 2009.

He injured the opposite ankle in a pre-season match against Carlton in 2010 and finally made his way back through the reserves on July 23. The Lions had a bye last weekend.

Just last week Charman spoke of the frustration of the past three seasons.

"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.

"The last 18 months has been very frustrating."

Charman said the Lions' medical staff had been sensational throughout his entire rehabilitation.

"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," he said.

"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."

The 200cm, 104kg giant was a popular figure among both teammates and supporters.

Teammate Simon Black lauded Charman for being a team player who always gave his all.

"What springs to mind is his aggressive, competitive nature," Black said. "How he willed himself at the contest and into the opposition's body and how hard he'd tackle was first class.

"It really inspired myself and a lot of the guys around him because he was such a fierce competitor and he intimidated opposition players because of his aggressiveness.

"I loved playing with him. He'd look after his own and whoever was on his side."

While the premiership was his standout memory, Charman said he loved every day at the club.

"I loved getting out there and competing and I loved the one-on-one battles and that's what I thrived on. I'm really going to enjoy the next chapter of my life but I've really enjoyed my time at the club."

Michael Whiting covers Brisbane Lions news for afl.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @mike_whiting