AFTER a sleepless Friday night wrestling with the decision on his future, Luke Power woke Saturday morning and decided enough was enough.

The 31-year-old brought down the curtain on his glittering 282-game career on Saturday night, announcing his retirement following the eight-point loss against West Coast at the Gabba.

Power had only informed coach Michael Voss of his decision less than two hours before the start of the match and told his teammates just before they warmed up.

"I couldn't sleep last night (Friday)," Power said.

"I tossed and turned and just thought, 'Gabba, home crowd, all the boys will be here, it's time to do it this week,'.

"I didn't want to make it about me or make it a distraction on the group. It was just something I woke up this morning and thought, 'Let's do it and let's move on'. I tend to analyse things and for me I just needed to go 'bang' and make the decision and get on with life."

Power said he and Voss had been in discussions all season about the future of the triple premiership player.

But at the end of the day, like he had so often through his 14-year career, Power made the selfless call.

"I was keen to play, mainly because I was excited by where the group was going," he said.

"After talking to Vossy, I realised the club's priorities and my priorities weren't along the same lines, but at the end of the day it was a mutual decision.

"I'm not leaving with anything but praise for Vossy and the football club. I love this club and everything to do with it. It's been like a family for me for 14 years."

Voss captained Power in the 2001, 2002 and 2003 premiership hat-trick and has been his coach for the past three seasons. He said the little left footer's consistency had been the mark of a champion.

Power has finished in the top five of the Lions' best and fairest a staggering eight times.

"We all measure our contribution sometimes by kicks, marks, handballs and stats sheets," Voss said.

"Then there's other things you can't measure it by, the impact they have and what they leave behind. I think Luke Power has certainly done that. Playing with him and also coaching him, he's an outstanding person and courageous in the way he goes about his business and he's made a fantastic contribution to our club."

Power said the greatest thing of his career alongside the premierships was the friendships he had made.

He said it also made it the toughest reason to hang up the boots.

"I've held it together pretty well, but the Blackys, Brownys, Jamie Charman and Ash McGrath, you've played with those blokes for 10 years and you become like a family," Power said.

"Simon has been like a brother to me up here and the only time I've almost teared up is when you look in the eyes of people like that and you know it'll be the last time you play together.

"The people you meet is as great as the premierships. You play footy to win premierships but I've just met some fantastic people through this club and people I'll be friends with for life."

Power said he would sit back with wife Anita and discuss his post career options, but said he would love to stay involved in the industry.

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