Kiwi icon Benji Marshall has retired from rugby league, after 19 seasons playing in the NRL.
Fronting media with South Sydney Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett and chief executive Blake Solly - and with son Fox on his lap - Marshall has confirmed the end of his playing career, days after his side's NRL Grand Final defeat to Penrith Panthers.
Across stints with Wests Tigers, St George Illawarra Dragons, Brisbane Broncos and finally South Sydney, Marshall made 346 NRL appearances.
"I feel privileged and grateful to have had the career that I have had," Marshall says. "I started as just a young kid from Whakatane who was chasing his dreams and will leave as a better man who reached those dreams.
"I cannot thank rugby league enough for everything it has given me, but the thing of which I'm most proud is the countless times I have had to pick myself up and fight back from the many setbacks that were thrown at me throughout my career.
"I want to thank Wests Tigers, St George Illawarra Dragons, Brisbane Broncos and, of course, South Sydney Rabbitohs for the opportunity to play for those great clubs.
"I've got no doubts that I could have played on again next year, but now is the right time for me to call time on my football career and move on to the next adventure."
Marshall, 36, was making his second appearance in the championship game, 16 years after sparking Wests Tigers to success with one of the competition's most iconic moments - an audacious behind-the-back pass that sent Pat Richards in for a try.
As the 2021 season approached, the veteran half was off contract and contemplating retirement, before a last-ditch call to Souths coach Wayne Bennett provided a walk-on opportunity with the Rabbitohs.
Marshall turned that opening into a regular playmaking role off the bench, often operating alongside their all-star spine of Latrell Mitchell, Cody Walker, Adam Reynolds and Damien Cook.
Much of the Grand Final build-up centred on the future of one of the NRL's most popular players and Marshall fended off retirement questions afterwards.
"Everyone wants to know what I am doing," he said. "I will get through the next few days and see what I will do on Wednesday and Thursday.
"I think that I'll know in the bottom of my heart if it is time or not."
Marshall made his NRL debut for Wests as a teenager in 2003 and has since made 346 appearances - the most by a Kiwi player - for the Tigers, St George Dragons, Brisbane Broncos and Souths.
He has also played 31 tests for New Zealand, captaining the Kiwis against Great Britain in his most recent outing in 2019.
