Sydney Roosters captain Boyd Cordner has announced his immediate retirement from rugby league, due to due to ongoing concerns about the long-term effects of repeated concussion.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Cordner, 29, originally from Old Bar, retires having achieved success at every level of the game.
He skippered the Roosters to back-to-back premierships in 2018 and 2019 and won his first of three premierships with the club in 2013. He played his first game of rugby league as a four-year-old with the Old Bar Pirates under sixes. His father, Chris, was one of the team's coaches while his elder brother, Dane, was also in the side.
"This hasn't been an easy decision for me to come to, but it's the right one," Cordner said
"I've had some time to reflect on my career and I hang up the boots a very proud man. I'm so lucky to have had the opportunities I've had over the years, and to do it all at a club like the Sydney Roosters means the world to me.
"I was a 16-year-old kid from Old Bar when I moved down to join the Roosters and never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I'd get to be a part of so many amazing moments.
"I wouldn't be the man I am today without the Roosters and rugby league. So many people have played an important role in helping me in my career throughout the years, and I just want to say thanks to them all, right back to my junior club, the Old Bar Pirates.
"Here at the Roosters, I've gone from a boy to a man, and I'd like to thank everyone involved with the club, from our receptionist to the board of directors. I'd especially like to thank our chairman Nick Politis.
"I also want to make special mention of (coach) Trent Robinson. I'm so fortunate to have been coached by Trent for pretty much my whole career. You made me a better player and a better man. To Craig Fitzgibbon, Travis Touma and all the other coaching and performance staff here at the Roosters, I can't thank you enough either.
"To all my teammates over the years, there have been some special moments and I'm grateful to every single player I got to run out with over the years.
"To the coaches I've worked with in rep footy, especially Brad Fittler and Mal Meninga, my sincerest thanks to you too.
"To the boys here at the Roosters, it's been an honour to play alongside you and to be your captain.
"Most importantly, to my family, especially my partner Jemma and my dad Chris. You've always been there for me, been in my corner, and I'll never be able to thank you enough for what you've done for me over the year."
ARLC chairman Peter V'landys said: "Boyd is a true leader. He captained his club, state and country to great success. He reached the absolute pinnacle of rugby league and leaves the game having done it all - premierships, Origins and World Cups,'' he said.
"Perhaps most importantly, Boyd is a great person. His friendly and warm personality made him very popular with all he came into contact with. He's a role model and someone young players aspire to be."
RELATED:
Player number 1119, Cordner made his NRL debut in round 13 of the 2011 season and made 181 top grade appearances for the Club.
In the representative arena, Cordner played 20 Tests for Australia (2013-2019) and was a member of two World Cup-winning squads (2013, 2017). He was named Kangaroos' captain in 2018.
Cordner made 16 appearances for New South Wales between 2013-2020, winning three series (2014, 2018, 2019), two of those as captain (2018-2019).