Moment Dragons star Jason Nightingale knew his time was up

JASON Nightingale was adamant he would retire at the end of 2018. Then he flew through pre-season and the Dragons flew through their opposition and he thought ‘maybe just one more’. An autumn walk with his dog changed all that...

JASON Nightingale walked outside the gates of Kogarah Oval one April evening this year alone in the dark as he contemplated retirement.

With just his dog Hendrix by his side, it was a far cry from the crowded scenes he was used to at the ground he has called home for the past 12 years. It was part of Nightingale’s tour of St George, where he spent about two hours travelling from his Sutherland Shire home to landmarks which helped shape his life.

He stopped at Oatley West Primary School, his two childhood homes and Renown Park — the ground where he played his junior rugby league.

Nightingale had made this journey before — about once a year — since breaking into the top grade in 2007. But this autumn evening was different.

Jason Nightingale will look to spend more time with his family in 2019, including wife Bianka, daughter Chloe, and three-week-old son Oliver. Picture: Toby Zerna

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“It was an emotional time,” Nightingale said. “My wife (Bianka) doesn’t even know. She asked where I went and I just said I walked the dog.

“That was a big moment to reflect and enjoy what I’ve created for my family and the people around me who have been able to support me through the good and bad.

“I had a cathartic moment where I was pretty proud in that (St George) rugby league area. The thought of all the things I‘ve done. It was a little pat myself on the back and tribute. It was more ‘I can do this (and retire), let it go and appreciate what I’ve done’.

“If I cried it was tears of joy in being proud of what I’ve been able to achieve … it was an opportunity to let go.”

St George Illawarra star Jason Nightingale is the last remaining member of the Dragons' 2010 premiership team and will retire at the end of the 2018 season. Picture: Toby Zerna

Nightingale had made the decision to retire before the start of the season. But after flying through the pre-season coupled with the Dragons’ strong start to the year, he wrangled with the idea of extending his career for one more year after the club offered him a new deal. Barring injury the contract would have seen him become the most capped Dragon of all time but after his night of reflection he knew his time had come.

While he may have 266 top grade games to his name — his first coach Nathan Brown needed convincing before handing Nightingale his first.

“(Former Dragons coach) Steve Price put his name forward,” Brown said. “I remember saying to Pricey are you sure he is ready? He said he wouldn’t let you down. And he never did. He made life easy for coaches.”

Jason Nightingale celebrates a try in this iconic picture from the 2010 grand final against the Roosters. Picture: Gregg Porteous

Nightingale’s trademark has been his uncanny ability to end up in uncomfortable positions. Wayne Bennett was told to change Nightingale’s running style when he arrived at the Dragons in 2009.

“I’m not touching that — I’m leaving that alone,” Bennett said. “If you start to play around with that you’d bugger up with his head

“He is different person. I nicknamed him ‘Gypsy’ because he was the type of guy who was never with you (mentally) but (physically) he is in the area. As vacant as he can be he is bright as a button. He is in his own world most of the time. He comes into ours occasionally.

“He is a deadset winger. Any other position he didn’t play as good. I tried him at fullback and centre. It was a complete nightmare.

Jason Nightingale (middle row, fourth from right) in the Dragons SG Ball squad back in 2003. he debuted for the Dragons NRL side four years later.

“He was a remarkable player. Scored tries only he could score. He is up there with the top players I’ve coached and best blokes I’ve coached.”

Nightingale benefited in the early stages of his career, playing outside fellow Renown United junior Mark Gasnier including the 2010 premiership win.

“Jace never admitted but gee he loved the tryline,” Gasnier said. “He would do anything he can to put himself in a position to score. He was one of the best clubmen you could have.”

No-one will be cheering the Dragons home harder than Nightingale today. An elbow injury means he will be watching from the sidelines but the 31-year-old said he would be a certain starter if St George Illawarra survive.

“I’ll be fit for next week,” Nightingale said. “If they win by 40 again who knows. I could be the no. 1 supporter again. I’ll be ready if they need a hand.”

Originally published as Moment Dragons star Jason Nightingale knew his time was up