Lions veteran Amon Buchanan will retire at the end of the 2012 season, finishing a career that has spanned ten seasons, 134 senior games and the ultimate AFL honour - a premiership.

Buchanan, 29, informed his teammates of his decision earlier this month and was honoured at tonight’s Club Champion dinner.

He will continue to play with the Lions Reserves as an integral part of the team that will campaign towards the 2012 NEAFL premiership, before hanging up the boots at the end of the season.

Buchanan was traded to the Lions at the end of 2009 from the Sydney Swans, where he was part of the 2005 premiership-winning team. He also played in the 2006 Grand Final, which the Swans lost by just one point.

In 2011, Buchanan made Lions history by becoming the first ever player at the Club to wear the green substitute vest in the team’s season opener against Fremantle.

He was widely regarded by his teammates, past and present, as a hard, attacking midfielder who provided much-needed grunt and aggression to his team.

General Manager, Football Operations, Dean Warren said Buchanan had made a significant impact at the Club in only a short period of time.

“Amon has been a terrific servant of the Lions, and in particular as a mentor to our younger brigade coming through the Reserves,” Warren said.

“His commitment to this Club, and his contribution towards the development of our young players has been invaluable, and we wish Amon and his family all the best for the future.”