"Obviously every footballer would like the fairytale ending. In the end, most people retire because they don't (get the fairytale ending). Most people retire because they can either no longer do it mentally and physically. For me, it's a bit of both."

Lappin was an enigma at the Lions, a player of stark contradictions. He isn't cut from the same mold as the cliche-chanting, production line of modern footballers.

Behind closed doors, he says the least but his zen-like utterances carry serious weight among the playing group. He dreads fronting the media, yet when he does, presents a voice among the most articulate and thoughtful in any code.

Instead of thanking individuals at yesterday's farewell address, he will take the time to pen his thoughts in letters to the people who shaped his career.

"It's really hard to sit down and thank them all today. As I was speaking to Leigh (Matthews) about it the other day, I like to sit down and pen my ideas and I'll do that to a lot of guys and people that have helped me through my time at the Lions," Lappin said.

In his 279 games for Brisbane, Lappin has tasted three premierships (2001-2003), four All-Australian selections (2001-2004) and the Club Champion award in 2004.

The personal honours are treasured by Lappin, although the camaraderie of competitive sport will leave the biggest void in his heart as he winds up a trek that began in 1993 with the Brisbane Bears.

"There's a lot of reasons for me to be happy and to be proud with what's happened. The success that I've had individually, that's all great. It's more the team thing that you cherish," Lappin said.

"Those moments that you create, the friendships - you'll never get that again. You may find something similar through other avenues but you'll never have that bond that you get when you play together with the guys."

Lappin, who has twins among his four daughters with wife Clare, always thought he would simply walk away from the game when his time arrived. Now, when it has come time to pass through the door, he is beginning to take a look over his shoulder.

"I always thought I'd just walk away. But when you get to the end, it's a bit hard to walk away from something that's been a pretty big part of your life. I'll take the next month or couple of months to sit down and reassess, see which direction I want to head," Lappin said.

Matthews sat next to Lappin, paying tribute to an ultimate team man who shunned the spotlight, instead choosing to pour his entire being into ensuring the Lions were singing their song at the end of the night.

"The thing that hits me in the eye the most is that reputation and performance aren't always the same. As great a reputation as Nigel has as a player, he's an even better player than his reputation. He wasn't a limelight seeker. High profile and ability sometimes get confused," Matthews said.

"The perfect player wins his own ball, uses it well when he's got time and space and tries really hard to get it back off the opposition. Very few players have done that as well as Nigel. That makes him a really, really valuable package."

A valuable player, yes. An even more valuable coach? The idea is a strange one, given Lappin's hushed demeanour. Yet Matthews says Lappin's football smarts and under-used communication skills make him the perfect candidate to mentor others.

"Nigel's always had a great empathy for his team-mates and knows the game. He understands the game more than most players. Nigel's potentially got a lot to offer in the next phase of being involved to help players, if he chooses to go down that path," Matthews said.

"I think he's never thought of himself in that manner. But I think he has the raw resources to do that. Nigel I'm sure has never thought of any possibility that he would go on and be a coach in any shape or form. But now that the playing door is closed, you open your life up to possibilities. That's one of the distinct possibilities."

Lappin, who originally from Chiltern in country Victoria, wasn't dismissing the notion. If it does come to fruition, it will come after a well-earned holiday from the pressure and grind of AFL football.

"I definitely won't rule out anything. Until one door closes, it's really hard to open another one. For me, it's always been about putting everything into footy. I've done that," Lappin said.

Lions fans will be given the chance to farewell Lappin on Saturday night, when he is given a lap of honour 20 minutes before the opening bounce against Carlton.

If his reception is as warming as the resounding round of applause he was given as he left the building yesterday, it will be a moment worth savouring.