NRL: Kimmorley calls it quits

Brett Kimmorley is playing in his 16th NRL season. Photo / Getty Images

Veteran Bulldogs halfback Brett Kimmorley announced today he will retire at the end of the NRL season.

Kimmorley, who is in his 16th year in the NRL, has accepted an assistant coaching role with the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in 2011, which he will combine with his ongoing media role at Fox Sports.

Kimmorley, who turns 34 next month, has played for Australia and for NSW, has won a premiership and claimed the Clive Churchill Medal, and he recently became the first halfback in the history of the NRL to play 300 first grade games.

He says he's looking forward to sharing his experience with young halves coming through the Bulldogs.

"I've weighed up many options in the past few weeks and I've decided that coaching is without doubt the right future for me at this stage of my career," Kimmorley said.

"There's been much for me to consider in arriving at this decision. I'm still physically fit and I had offers to continue playing but I also knew that the opportunity to start a coaching career at a Club like Canterbury doesn't come around every day.

"I feel at home here and with the Club's great history of developing premiership winning coaches I feel it's the perfect place for me to make the move into coaching.

"I already do a lot of coaching work with individuals so I'm expecting the transition from playing to coaching to be fairly smooth.

"This decision also allows me to stay involved in the media and I'm grateful to my manager George Mimis for the work he's done in helping me develop options for life after footy.

"Chris Anderson is another who's had a tremendous impact on my career. We first met in 1998 and he's been a great mentor to me ever since.

"Since I started out with Newcastle in 1995 I've been extremely privileged to play with some top blokes and I've met some terrific fans along the way and I'd like to thank them all for the encouragement they've offered me over the years.

"Above all though, I'd like to thank my entire family for the incredible support they've given me over such a long period - hopefully they'll all now be able to get on with their lives without it being dictated by when and where I'm playing footy each weekend."

Chief Executive Mr Todd Greenberg says the Bulldogs are honoured by Kimmorley's commitment to remain with the Club.

"Brett Kimmorley will finish his playing days remembered as one of the most competitive and professional players to have graced a footy field and we're delighted he'll continue to make an important contribution to Rugby League through his role as assistant coach of the Bulldogs," Mr Greenberg said.

"He has excelled at every level of the game, he is highly regarded as one of the game's best tacticians and we're privileged that he'll be sharing his great knowledge with the youngsters coming through the Club.

"Above and beyond his skills on the field, Noddy is a dedicated family man.

"He has been a great role model in the way he manages to balance his extensive football, work and family responsibilities and the Bulldogs culture will continue to be enhanced by Noddy's ongoing involvement."

The contributions of Kimmorley and also of the departing Luke Patten will be recognised with a major tribute at the Bulldogs final home game of the 2010 season against the Panthers at ANZ Stadium on Monday night.

Career stats:
Club games (to date): 305

Newcastle Knights: 1995-96 (First grade debut v Manly 21/7/1995)
Hunter Mariners: 1997
Melbourne Storm: 1998-2000
Northern Eagles: 2001
Cronulla Sharks: 2002-2008
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs: 2009-2010

Rep honours:
Australia: 20 games
NSW: 10 games
NSW Country: 6 games

- NZ Herald Staff