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TOWNSVILLE Fire captain Rachael McCully has announced she will retire at the end of the WNBL season, making this run at a Championship her last.

McCully (nee Flanagan) is 32 and has been in the league for 15 seasons since starting as a teenager with Adelaide Lightning.

She went close to retiring after last season's Grand Final loss to Bendigo which made it heart-breaking back-to-back Championship reversals to the Spirit.

But the tenacious playmaker, who learned her basketball at Forestville Eagles and spearheaded their 27-year drought-breaking SA Championship susccess in 2001, continued this year hoping for a "third time lucky" title-run.

“It’s been a career of highs and lows and the last few years has been absolutely fantastic but I don’t want to overstay my welcome,” McCully told the Townsville Bulletin.

“I want to finish while my game is near the top and I think I’m still playing some pretty positive basketball.

“I know the body is telling me that I can’t go on much longer but with the results we’ve had over the past two seasons, I’m determined to go out with that elusive title.”

McCully, who has been an Opal and is a WNBL Life Member, told the Bulletin her move to Townsville had been substantial in her life for more than just basketball.

“Moving to Townsville was one of the best decisions I have ever made, not only for my basketball but because I also met my husband, Brendon, during my time here and I now call Townsville home," she said.

“My family have been my biggest supporters and I definitely would not have achieved everything I have without their support throughout my career.”

The Fire have enjoyed a landmark regular season and lead the WNBL ladder with a 13-3 record, two wins clear of nemesis Bendigo.

The road to the title does appear to lead through Townsville which would be a fitting finale for McCully.