NRL: Injury forces Titans forward to retire

Brad Meyers. Photo / Getty Images

Injury has forced tough Gold Coast Titans forward Brad Meyers to retire from rugby league immediately.

The 31-year-old Meyers announced his decision on Monday after it was confirmed his latest wrist injury would keep him out of football for the rest of the 2011 NRL season.

Red-haired Meyers played 228 first grade games for Brisbane (102), English club Bradford (51) and then the Titans (75) and also represented Queensland and Australia in a career spanning 11 seasons.

He retires having won premierships in two countries and having played for his state and country.

Titans coach John Cartwright said Meyers had played a key role in the Titans' first generation.

"Red (Meyers) was our inaugural clubman of the year so that says a lot about what he has been able to bring to the club both on and off the field," said Cartwright.

"He had a serious knee injury in our first season but to able to come back and play 75 first grade games for the club is a big effort.

"It's disappointing that it has to end but he's had a great career."

A former Australian schoolboy, Meyers started his NRL career under Wayne Bennett at Brisbane in 2001 and won a premiership there.

He had a meteoric rise along with Dane Carlaw when both were selected in Queensland and Australia sides in their debut year in the NRL.

Meyers played for Bradford Bulls from 2004-2006, featuring in their 15-8 Super League grand final win against Leeds in 2005, before becoming a foundation Titans signing for their 2007 inaugural season.

Titans boss Michael Searle paid tribute to Meyers' contribution to the club and its culture.

"Sometimes it's disappointing when injuries get in the way of players longevity but Brad's had a great career so he's got nothing to be sad about," said Searle.

"We brought him back from England to be part of our inaugural season and he has been a great contributor to what the club has been able to achieve since."

- AAP