The names ‘Simon Black’ and ‘Luke Power’ have gone almost hand-in-hand with each other throughout their respective AFL journeys.

Not only did the pair arrive at the Brisbane Lions via the same AFL National Draft in 1997, but they both also went on to forge incredibly successful careers and become regarded as true champions of the Club.

So when Black officially announced his retirement on Friday morning, lions.com.au naturally sought out his good mate, who had hung up the boots himself 12 just months earlier.

“It’s pretty hard to do his career justice in just a few words,” Power said.

“He’s had a great career and one that he’s fully deserved given how hard he’s worked and the way he’s carried himself. He’s done it with class.

“I’m rapt for him, although I’m a bit sad that I won’t get to see him play again.”

Power, whose family has been holidaying with ‘the Blacks’ this off-season, has seen first-hand the struggle his three-time premiership teammate has faced in coming to a final decision.

“I chatted to him more as a friend than someone who was giving him advice,” Power said.

“At the end of the day, it was his decision. It’s a tough decision to make, but you have to be able to come to it yourself.”

Power expects Black will stay involved in the AFL system as a coach next year, and has no doubt that “he’ll be successful in whatever he does”.