Veteran Richmond midfielder Shane Tuck has announced his retirement from AFL football.

The 31-year-old told team-mates today of his decision to hang up his boots at the completion of the 2013 season.

Tuck has played 171 games and kicked 72 goals, in 10 hard-working, valuable seasons with the Tigers.

“Shane has been a fantastic servant of the Richmond Football Club over a long period of time,” said Richmond senior coach, Damien Hardwick.

“He has overcome the odds on a number of occasions and has become a favourite among the Tiger fans, and a much-loved, respected team-mate".

Tuck was originally recruited to league football by Hawthorn as a rookie at the end of 2000, and later spent time at SANFL club West Adelaide, before being selected by Richmond at pick 73 overall in the 2003 National Draft.

He made his senior debut for the Tigers in Round 14, 2004, against Brisbane at the Gabba.

Throughout his career, Tuck has averaged 23.4 disposals and four tackles, with a high of 38 possessions against Geelong in Round 6, 2010.

In a remarkably consistent career, Tuck has finished in the top 10 of the Club’s Best and Fairest seven times (3^rd in 2005; 10^th in 2006; 3^rd in 2007; 2^nd in 2008; 7^th in 2009; 5^th in 2010 and 4^th in 2012).