An emotional Sydney Roosters captain Boyd Cordner has announced his early retirement from the game after suffering repeated concussions.
The 29-year-old wiped away tears as he announced he would be hanging up his boots for good at a press conference on Monday morning.
‘This hasn’t been an easy decision for me to come to, but it’s the right one,’ he 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.’
Cordner had signed on with the Roosters at just 16 and still had two years left on his contract.
Though he has not played a game since copping a head knock in November’s State of Origin series opener – the last in a long series of concussions the 29-year-old has suffered.
An emotional Sydney Roosters captain Boyd Cordner has announced his early retirement from the game after suffering repeated concussions
Cordner had signed on with the Roosters at just 16 and still had two years left on his contract
Cordner (pictured with partner Jemma Barge) thanked his family for their ongoing support during the press conference
On that occasion he returned to the field after passing his HIA, but then withdrew from the remainder of the Origin series to seriously consider his future.
The backrower set his sights on a round-14 return after seven months out of the game but that comeback never eventuated.
During the press conference, Cordner reflected on his time playing in the NRL and representing the Sydney Roosters.
‘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,’ he said.
‘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.’
One of the most reliable players in the game, Cordner won premierships with the Roosters in 2013, 2018 and 2019.
He also led NSW to Origin series victories in 2018 and 2019, and had taken over as Kangaroos Test captain in 2018.
Cordner still had two years to run on his Roosters contract but will instead end with 181 games for the foundation club, 20 matches for the Kangaroos and 16 Origins for NSW.
The 29-year-old wiped away tears as he announced he would be hanging up his boots for good at a press conference on Monday morning
Cordner has suffered several head knocks and concussions recently (pictured during a September 2020 game against the Newcastle Knights)
The 29-year-old said he had gone from a ‘boy to a man’ playing for the Sydney Roosters and thanked coach Trent Robinson and his teammates.
‘Trent, I’m so fortunate to have been coached by you for pretty much my whole career,’ he said. ‘You made me a better player and a better man.’
‘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.
Cordner also thanked his family and his partner for their ongoing support throughout his illustrious career.
‘Most importantly, to my family, especially my partner Jemma and my dad Chris,’ he said.
Cordner was captain of the Sydney Roosters and led the NSW team to Origin victory in 2018 and 2019 (pictured in February 2019)
Cornder said he had gone from a ‘boy to a man’ while playing with the Roosters and thanked his family for their support
‘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 years.’
Sydney Roosters head coach Trent Robinson praised Cordner as one of the club’s finest captains.
‘Boyd is one of the greatest leaders of men I have seen,’ he said.
‘At any level of the game, I’m sure that every player who ever stood alongside Boyd would thank him for being the teammate and leader that he was.
‘Boyd is a man of conviction, and his achievements over the years, not only at club level, but also in the representative arena, reflect the highly-respected man that he is.’