NRL veteran Brett Morris has received a standing ovation from his teammates, after announcing his retirement from rugby league.
The two-time NRL premiership winner suffered a season-ending knee injury last month in the final minutes against Newcastle Knights, fueling speculation the former St George Dragons and Canterbury Bulldogs star would call it quits.
A year-long recovery seemed an unlikely path for the 34-year-old and on Monday night, he formally retired in an emotional evening in front of the entire Sydney Roosters playing group, coaching staff and front office at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
"Whilst it's not ideal with the injury, the time for me is right," Morris said, with friends and family by his side.
"I've had a wonderful career spanning 16 seasons. I started as a skinny, young kid, and finished as an old man with a couple of kids bruised and battered, but my rugby league journey has been a wonderful ride."
Morris is fourth on the all-time NRL tryscorers list with 176 - behind only Steve Menzies (180), Billy Slater (190) and Ken 'Mongo' Irvine (212), who played 236 games combined for the North Sydney Bears and Manly Sea Eagles from 1958-1973.
Morris, whose twin brother Josh also plays at the Roosters, won his first premiership under Wayne Bennett at St George Dragons in 2010, before a 2019 shift to the Roosters brought a second.
Morris was capped 18 times by Australia Kangaroos and played 14 State of Origin games for New South Wales Blues.
"Not everybody gets to go out on their own terms, but looking back over my career, I've been incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunities I've had, and I hang up the boots a very proud and content man.
"There are many people who have played an important role in helping me in my career throughout the years and I'd like to extend my thanks to them all, right back to my junior club the Kiama Knights."
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