MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 06: Grant Birchall of the Hawks controls the ball during the round seven AFL match between the Richmond Tigers and the Hawthorn Hawks at Melbourne Cricket Ground on May 6, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Brisbane veteran and four-time premiership Hawk Grant Birchall has announced his retirement from the AFL after 287 games.

The Tasmania product, who made his debut with Hawthorn in 2006, has decided to hang up the boots after 16 seasons in the league.

A key member of the Hawks' successes of this century, Birchall's career ends as one filled with an illustrious history.

An All-Australian in 2012, the 33-year-old is also a Tasmanian Hall of Fame member after becoming a name from the Apple Isle to dominate the AFL.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 28: Grant Birchall and Luke Hodge of the Hawks celebrate with the Premiership Cup after the Hawks won the 2013 AFL Grand Final match between the Hawthorn Hawks and the Fremantle Dockers at Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 28, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

According to multiple reports, Birchall addressed his teammates on Friday morning of his decision to hang up the boots.

Birchall joined the Lions ahead of the 2020 season, where he has since reinvigorated his career after battling a number of injury setbacks in his latter years at Hawthorn.

Across his two years with the Queensland club, Birchall played 39 games down back for coach Chris Fagan, aiding the club's promising premiership runs.

Birchall played 248 games in the brown and gold, including a key role in the 2008 and 2013-2015 premierships.