PORT Adelaide ruckman Dean Brogan says his decision to retire at the end of the season was 'a no-brainer' given the path the rebuilding club has taken under new coach Matthew Primus.

On Tuesday, Brogan announced he would step aside to give the Power an opportunity to unearth and develop their next generation of ruckmen.

The 32-year-old was a late withdrawal from the team to play North Melbourne at AAMI Stadium last weekend after straining his hamstring at training, and has already been ruled out of the clash with the Brisbane Lions on Sunday.

It's unclear how many more appearances the 173-game veteran will make for Port Adelaide, but he's expected to receive a farewell game at the least.

Brogan's absence on Sunday allowed Primus to promote former first-round draft pick Matthew Lobbe for his fourth AFL game, and Brogan said it was important the Power continued to blood their young ruckmen.

"For the club to move in the right direction they need to get a new ruckman and new leader in that position ASAP because I'm not going to be there for the next premiership," Brogan said.

"Matty [Primus] needs to see who is going to be that next person because it's such an important position and you just can't throw anybody in there. They need time. They need experience and there's no point me being there.

"All I want to do is see this club get back to where it deserves to be. If that means me stepping away and someone taking my spot I'm comfortable with that because it's time."

Just last month, Brogan expressed a desire to play on next season.

When quizzed about his change of heart Brogan admitted he was already contemplating retirement at the time, and said his recent hamstring injury had served as a warning his battle-weary body might not last another full season.

"Not many players get to go out on their own terms, but I'm in a situation where the timing is right," he said.

"When I am playing, I still feel I'll my holding my own and doing my role for the team … but I'm 32 and everyone knows that once you turn 30 things start to go a little bit haywire in your body.

"I could hang on next season, maybe filter down to the SANFL, not get heard about again and end up being a bit bitter with footy… I don't want to be like that."

Brogan started his career on the rookie list at Port Adelaide in 2000.

Initially, the former Adelaide 36ers championship player, who spent a year in the SANFL before being drafted by the Power, was mocked for his decision to make the switch from basketball to football.

But 10 years later he's regarded as a pioneer.

"I should've patented it," Brogan said with a laugh.

"When I first did it in 1999 everyone said, 'You won't do it. You're not a footballer. You're kidding yourself.

"Now, most clubs have five or six ex-basketballers on their list. I think with the way the game has changed it's more for athletes now, and with the amount of coaches you have and training you do the skills come along with it.

"The game is heading that way and with all the zones it's sort of like a massive game of basketball."

In 2004, Brogan became the first person in history to win both an NBL Championship and an AFL premiership when Port Adelaide beat the premiers of the previous three years, the Brisbane Lions, to claim its inaugural flag.

"You don't know how hard finals and grand finals are to get to until you're where we are now (16th on the ladder)," Brogan said.

"It's so much hard work and I was very lucky that when I got here … I was able to jump on. We used to win 17 games a season and I'm very lucky I can look back and say I was a part of that."

Three years later, the Power returned to the grand final stage, but the result was completely different, with the club on the receiving end of a record 119-point loss to Geelong.

"It's amazing what you can erase from your memory when you want to," Brogan said of the game.

"It was probably one of the worst days of my life. The journey to get there was pretty incredible, coming from nowhere with new players popping up and playing well, but it's something I don't want to touch on too much.

"I've still got scars from that."

Over the course of his 12-year career, Brogan has established himself as a player opposition supporters love to hate.

The fiery ruckman, regarded as the 'heart and soul' of Port Adelaide, is renowned for his passion and aggression.

He's single-handedly tried to drag the Power over the line when the team has struggled, or lacked direction in the past few seasons and whenever there was an on-field scuffle he was always close by.

Primus said the club would miss Brogan's leadership, as much as it would miss his ruckwork.

"In the early days Broges looked a million miles away but there's no one who has worked harder at his craft," Primus said.

"His passion and his want to make this club better have been nothing short of extraordinary. He's left a legacy here of a guy who has left no stone unturned, not only for himself but to make every other player better.

"For us, that's probably the biggest hole Dean's retirement is going to create at this club. [We'll miss] not only his rucking ability, but his love for the club and ability to want to drag everyone else along and make them better."

Katrina Gill covers Port Adelaide news for afl.com.au. Follow her on Twitter: @AFL_KatrinaGill