MELBOURNE great Todd Viney has announced his retirement, deciding to step away from the club after his most recent nine-year tenure in the football department.

The 53-year-old first pulled on the red and blue in 1987 and played 233 games with the club.

He re-joined the Demons in 2010 as the general manager of player development, before coaching the club for five games as a caretaker in 2011.

More recently, Viney was the club’s player personnel manager and he has been an integral part of the Dees’ growth in recent years.

General Manager of Football Operations Josh Mahoney recognised Viney’s services and says he has had a significant impact on the club over a long period of time.

“Todd has played a pivotal role in rebuilding the club and will certainly be missed,” Mahoney told Melbourne Media.

“He has fulfilled a number of roles throughout his time and always had a 'what is best for the club' attitude.

“The leadership and knowledge Todd has provided, along with his ability to drive high standards and motivate those around him has been outstanding.

“I look forward to watching Todd in the next phase of his life but also keeping him close to the Melbourne Football Club in some capacity.”

While football has been all Viney has known for the past 33 years, he’s excited to embark on a new adventure in the next chapter of his life.

“I just think for my life right now I need a bit of a change up, a bit of a new direction, a new challenge,” Viney told Melbourne Media.

“I bought a farm … which I’m taking over in the middle of next month. I’m going to spend at least 12 months sitting on the farm trying to milk the cows and ride the tractor and get used to what farming life might be like.”

It is an exciting next step for the club’s former skipper and two-time best and fairest winner, whose legacy in the red and blue will live on through his son Jack.