GANMAIN-Grong Grong-Matong champion Daniel Rankin announced his retirement from football following the Lions' disappointing exit from finals on Sunday.

Rankin has enjoyed a stellar career and achieved plenty at GGGM since his arrival for the 2007 season.

He enjoyed an amazing 2010 season when he coached the Lions to the premiership and also took out the Jim Quinn Medal by a huge margin.

Rankin, 33, missed most of last season but returned fully committed this season where he was again a vital part of GGGM's midfield.

"He's been unbelievable," GGGM coach Jayden Kotzur said.

"You don't get a guy who sets any higher standards on the track and on the field like than him.

"They're wonderful family people, great to have around the club and he'll certainly be missed."

Rankin's retirement and the potentially serious knee injury to young forward Lachie Parker only added to a bad day for the Lions.

They were outplayed from the outset and went down by 43 points.

Kotzur said the Lions got what they deserved.

"They moved the footy a lot better than us, they executed by foot and by hand really well, they run and spread and their forwards that have been kicking goals got away on us," he said.

"They were too good."

There were multiple occasions during the game when GGGM players looked to bump Tigers opponents when the opportunity was there to tackle.

Kotzur does not believe the Lions focused to much on trying to impose themselves on the contest.

"We did touch on the physical side but not over the top and it was to be within the rules of the game," he said.

"It's probably been an issue all year really that we haven't been reaching our tackling targets.

"It stands out a huge amount when we're meeting our targets, we're winning the quarters and again we failed in all of our targets today for every quarter."

Tigers closed within 13 points twice during the third term but Kotzur said his team was never a serious chance of winning.

"By foot, we're lazy," he said.

"We turn the footy over and give them opportunities and then it's back out to four goals again.

"We never beat anyone above us so we deserve to finish fifth.

"That's about where we sit I suppose."

GGGM will now look towards next season.

Kotzur has re-signed for another year and has already started targeting "specific players".

"We've got pretty much our whole squad in order but there's no secret we need some height," he said.