Brisbane vice-captain Josh Drummond has announced his retirement from the AFL.

The 29-year-old Sunshine Coast product has called time on his career after a long battle with hip issues and says he can't prepare himself physically for another season.

"It's a tough decision because I love footy so much and I love being a part of the Brisbane Lions, but I had to accept that I just can't do it anymore," said Drummond, who made 94 appearances for the Lions over nine years.

"I didn't want to be a burden on the club and I had to start thinking about life after football.

"I would have loved to play on because I sense the club is on the verge of some really exciting times, but I would have been asking too much of my body to try to go through it all again."

Lions coach Michael Voss said Drummond would be "sorely missed" and was an inspiration to other Queenslanders aiming for an AFL career but he believes a coaching career lies ahead for the defender.

"He's got a footy brain - his ability to interpret and analyse a situation is excellent," Voss said.

"I would have thought that if he's got aspirations to coach or be involved somehow, he's certainly got the nous to do so.

"It's unfortunate that injuries have got the better of him, but now he'll move on to the next phase of his career, and we wish him nothing but the best."

Drummond will be given a lap of honour at the Lions' opening home match of the 2013 season.