Former NZ Warriors halfback Blake Green has announced his immediate retirement from rugby league.
The 34-year-old Newcastle Knights playmaker hangs up his boots, after 14 seasons in the NRL and UK Super League.
Green says the demands of professional rugby league have caught up with him and he believes he's no longer capable of playing consistent first-grade.
"I can still see everything clearly on the field and know where I need to be, but unfortunately my body stopped getting there," Green says.
"I'm always honest with myself, my teammates and our staff. It hurt, but once I knew retirement was the right call, I owed it to everyone to do it as quickly as possible for the betterment of our football club."
In 2007, he made his NRL debut with Parramatta Eels, before moving on to stints with Cronulla Sharks, Hull Kingston Rovers and Wigan Warriors in England, then back to Australia with Melbourne Storm and Manly Sea Eagles.
Green joined the Warriors in 2018, playing 55 games through three seasons - his longest stint with any of his nine clubs.
In 2020, he joined the Knights midseason, but tore knee ligaments in his third game.
Green's retirement leaves Newcastle with two spare spots in their 30-man squad, meaning they could bring in transfer targets Jake Clifford - who has already signed with the club for next season - and Broncos prop Matt Lodge, who's reportedly poised to move to the Knights.
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