Andrew Raines Biography

Andrew Raines retires after 12 seasons and 129 games with three different clubs.

"It's been through its battles and its journey with constant operations and things I've had on it. Time's come and enough is enough," Raines said.

"I guess I don't want to limp out of the game, I want to do other activities in life that present itself and I obviously I want to walk out of the game still feeling OK."

Andrew Raines suffers a pre-season blow, damaging the posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.

"Unfortunately the results of Andrew's scans have confirmed he has damaged his PCL," Suns general manager of football operations Marcus Ashcroft said.

"Our medical staff will determine the most appropriate course of action to treat the injury in the coming days."

Andrew Raines says he is excited to be part of the Suns after being picked up by Gold Coast in the rookie draft.

"I've done the full circle and (I'm) back to where it all started, which is very exciting," Raines said.

"I'll be pushing to play senior football, but with that comes an off-field role and that's to try and pass on things I've done for 12 years to help me stay around so long … professionalism and leadership."

Gold Coast select Andrew Raines with pick No.71 at the 2014 NAB AFL Rookie Draft.

"He's a manic trainer and very experienced. He's versatile and we've seen him play those run-with roles," Suns list manager Scott Clayton said.

"He's got a great reputation and is a high quality young man. He's happy to help teach, but will also push for senior selection if he gets the chance."

Andrew Raines, James Polkinghorne, Jordan Lisle and Patrick Wearden have all been delisted, along with rookies Nick Hayes, Sam Michael and Isaac Conway are cut from Brisbane's list ahead of the upcoming AFL trade and free agency period.

Andrew Raines parts ways with the Lions but hopes to continue his career with another club.

"At 28, you've still got a bit to give," Raines said.

"You should be starting to play some of your better footy from that 25- to 30-year age bracket.

"I know it's coming towards the latter part of my career, but at the same time I think it's a pretty good age.

"I'm prepared to look at all options. It could be a slim chance; I've got no idea.

"I'm not sure if there'll be a lot of interest; you've got to be realistic and know your chances aren't as high as they are when I was 23 or 24."

Andrew Raines says he is comfortable being played less a tagger in 2014 under new Lions coach Justin Leppitsch.

"He (Leppitsch) said there's no real specific role as a tagger, but there might be times when we do it, so you've got to add these strings to your bow," Raines said.

"It gave me a challenge. A lot of people haven't seen my offensive game, particularly in recent times because I've been playing that (tagging) role, but deep down I know I can play that role."

Brisbane Lions tagger Andrew Raines will remain with the club after signing a two-year contract extension.

"I'm a Queensland boy and I love playing up here in Brisbane - we have a terrific footy club and it's one that I'm very proud to be a part of," Raines said.

"I'm extremely excited about the talent in the group. We've improved so much over the last 12 months and now we know we have to just put our heads down and continue to work hard, and the good results will come."

Persistence and perseverance have helped Andrew Raines get to 100 games nine seasons after he broke into the AFL.

"I went to Vossy two pre-seasons ago and said I'd like the opportunity to play on the opposition's best player in the midfield," Raines said.

"And obviously the defensive skills of playing down back most of my career, I thought maybe a defensive midfielder was a good opportunity to play consistent football and get a spot after two or three years in the wilderness."

Andrew Raines says he is enjoying his move from Richmond to Brisbane with the Lions now having won 3 games on the trot to start off 2010.

"I got to 50 games fairly quickly, at 21 years of age. At 24, I'll hopefully reach 60 this week," Raines said.

"Now I take a different attitude towards taking it a week at a time because I've been through a fair bit with injuries.

"After almost two years out of the game, it's been good to get a bit of continuity in playing games and being part of a winning culture is great, something I'm not used to that much."

Andrew Raines' AFL career will continue under Michael Voss after Richmond and the Brisbane Lions agreed to a trade on Monday.

The Tigers received Brisbane's third round pick at no. 44 in exchange for Raines.

Andrew Raines' manager says the Richmond defender is looking for a fresh start at another club after failing to break into the senior side in the second half of the year.

"We had a chat after he wasn't selected in the side for Round 22 and Coburg had a bye and he decided he wanted to move on no matter what (new coach) Damien Hardwick had to say," Raines' manager Ricky Olarenshaw told radio station SEN.

Andrew Raines's father, Geoff, yesterday said he was bewildered by his son's treatment at Richmond.

Reports revealed Andrew Raines had expressed a desire to be traded to Brisbane.

"They tried a lot of players in that time and Andrew wasn't one of them," Geoff Raines said.

"I think Brisbane and Michael Voss would be fantastic for his development, which would appear to have stalled at Richmond.

"I'm not a father who thinks he doesn't have areas he needs to improve, such as his decision making and ball use.

"Hopefully at Brisbane he will have people helping him in those areas."

Richmond is hopeful Andrew Raines will return strongly from knee surgery and be available within a month.

Ben Cousins and Andrew Raines will both be sidelined for at least the next three games following injuries suffered last night.