Essendon fullback Mal Michael will retire at the end of this AFL season.

Michael said he had little choice but to make the decision with his body struggling to cope with the rigours of top level football.

"For me the decision was quite an easy one in the end because the warning signs were there for me early," Michael said.

"I was getting to Friday afternoon and I felt pretty sore and tired from the previous week, I was waking up on Saturday and hoping I'd be right for the weekend's game.

"I think once you start doing that ... you've got to have a serious look at your future."

Michael, 31, has played 235 AFL matches including 34 with the Bombers over the past two seasons.

He started his career with Collingwood where he played 61 games before playing 140 with Brisbane including three premierships.

He said he now intended to pursue business and charity interests in his native Papua New Guinea.

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