Brisbane skipper Corey Parker says a fear of playing past his used-by date has prompted a decision to retire at the end of the 2016 NRL season.
Parker will end his career after his 16th season of first grade and he has a chance to move onto equal second on the NRL all-time list for matches played.
The 34-year-old has amassed 336 games since debuting for the Broncos in 2001 as an 18-year-old and could move past Steve Menzies (349) and level with Terry Lamb should he play his side's remaining 10 matches and also get to play in four finals games.
He had a chance to move past former premiership-winning Broncos teammate Darren Lockyer's all-time record of 355 games had he gone on next year.
He had been in negotiation for a contract extension and Broncos coach Wayne Bennett said he was prepared to offer him another year on his deal.