LIONS utility Tim Notting is hoping for one last crack at finals football before he gives the game away.

The 30-year-old veteran of 207 games announced his retirement from AFL football this week.

But he says there is still time for a farewell swansong in the finals, after he played 11 games at the top level in 2009 to help guide his team into September.

"I’m not going to write myself off," Notting said. "I’m going to come out here tomorrow and train the house down and see if I can get back in.

"It would be great to get a chance to play one last game in a final or in a grand final or whatever it is.

"You never want to go out not playing in the seniors, but if it doesn’t (happen) I’m pretty proud of what I’ve been able to achieve."

Notting booted six goals from eleven games and can be used as a pinch hitter at full-forward, in the midfield or the ruck.

But he is not expecting coach Michael Voss to feel any sense of nostalgia and give him a farewell game.

"Vossy is going to pick his very best side," Notting said.

"You only get a send off game if you’re not going to play finals so I’m not asking for a send off game or anything like that. I’m just saying that I’d rather do it (retire) now than wait until the season is over."

Working against Notting’s chances of a return is the fact the Lions reserves have been knocked out of their AFLQ League finals race.

But Notting says he’ll be ready to play and believes the Lions can make it all the way to the grand final.

"If there are a few injuries, which you don’t hope for, you never know," Notting said.

Notting played in the 2001 and 2002 premiership sides before missing out on the 2003 premiership team and playing in the losing Grand Final side of 2004.

He’s been doing a carpentry apprenticeship for the past 12 months and will become a tradesman after having a few months off.

"It (retirement) sits pretty comfortably with myself and I’m going to enjoy life after footy," Notting said.

"I’m glad I played (another year), I got to play with all the young guys that are coming through now and hopefully I was able to teach them a few things along the way."