Almost 1500 games of experience will be gone from the Intrust Super Cup next season, with 14 players calling time on their rugby league careers.
The retiring class of 2019 includes premiership winners, NRL players and even a Queensland Maroons State of Origin representative, and between them, they have played 1477 games in the statewide competition.
Easts Tigers centre Shane Neumann celebrated his 200th game in Round 23, becoming only the 18th player to reach the milestone.
He featured for the Sunshine Coast Sea Eagles early in his career, where he won the premiership in 2009, scoring a hat-trick in the win over Northern Pride.
Whilst they may be hanging up the boots, a number of players are set to remain involved in the game in a variety of ways.
Brendon Gibb - rugby league hard man calls time
Souths Logan Magpies forward Brendon Gibb said he was hoped to use his experience as a player across different competitions to become a mentor for younger players, especially in the area of wellbeing.
“I'm going to still stay involved and get down to Souths training and just get around the boys every now and again. But at the moment, I'm just enjoying life away from footy,” Gibb said.
“I would really like get involved with welfare or as mentor to young footballers - it’s something I’m quite passionate about and I would love to give back to the game in some way.”
In north Queensland, Pride forward Will Bugden was forced to stop playing mid-season due to injury, but remains involved with the club as a defensive coach.
QRL statewide competitions manager Dave Maiden thanked the cohort of players who helped bring the Intrust Super Cup competition to the fans.
“This season, the competition saw many talented and committed players make the call to retire from football - something which we know is not an easy call to make," Maiden said.
“Many of these players have dedicated years to their clubs and to the game and we thank them for what they have done on the field.
“While we acknowledge the significant loss of experience that we will see next season, I am sure those players are excited, like I am, to sit back and enjoy what the next crop of players can offer.”
| Player | Club in 2019 |
|---|---|
| Aaron Whitchurch | Redcliffe Dolphins |
| Josh Seage | Ipswich Jets |
| Brendon Gibb | Souths Logan Magpies |
| Jared Allen | Northern Pride |
| David Murphy | Northern Pride |
| William Bugden | Northern Pride |
| Jarrod McInally | Easts Tigers |
| Jake Foster | Easts Tigers |
| Shane Neumann | Easts Tigers |
| Dan Beasley | Townsville Blackhawks |
| Luke George | CQ Capras |
| Dave Taylor | CQ Capras |
| Zach Strasser | Norths Devils |
| Brendon Treston | Mackay Cutters |
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Dolphins fan favourite Aaron Whitchurch retires
Main image: Easts Tigers retirees Jake Foster, Shane Neumann and Jarrod McInally with 2019 coach Scott Sipple. Photo: Vanessa Hafner / QRL
