Antonio Winterstein announces his immediate NRL retirement due to chronic knee injuries

NORTH QUEENSLAND winger and 2015 premiership player Antonio Winterstein has announced his immediate retirement due to ongoing knee injuries.

Action from the NRL match between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the North Queensland Cowboys, held at Barlow Park, Cairns. Cowboys' Antonio Winterstein scores a try in the corner. PICTURE: BRENDAN RADKE

NORTH Queensland winger Antonio Winterstein says unbearable knee pain is behind his decision to retire from the NRL with immediate effect.

The 30-year-old on Wednesday announced the end of his 213-game NRL career with 166 of those for the Cowboys after he joined them from Brisbane prior to the 2011 season.

Winterstein was part of North Queensland’s 2015 premiership side and played nine Test matches for Samoa.

Winterstein. Pic Brett Costello

He said at a news conference in Townsville he could no longer contribute as he wanted to.

“It’s something I tried to ignore but it’s something that had to happen,” he said.

“The last couple of months has been a big change in the way the knee was feeling and it got a bit unbearable to even walk after games.

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“When it was affecting my ability to do my job for my teammates I knee it was time.” He thanked his family, the club and coaching staff and said it had been an honour to wear the Cowboys jersey.

“Every time I put that jersey on I felt invincible — it’s a feeling that I can’t describe,” the emotional winger said.

Cowboys director of football Peter Parr said Winterstein had been integral to the team’s run of success.

Winterstein will hang up the boots.

“In Antonio’s first seven years at this club we played finals every year — that’s not a coincidence,” Parr said.

“He’s one of the toughest players I’ve seen in my time at this club and how long he played with a chronic knee condition highlights that.

“The way he has dealt with this injury has helped build the culture and professionalism that is part of our club now.” Cowboys coach Paul Green echoed Parr’s sentiments.

“He has been a fantastic player, a premiership-winner, the epitome of toughness and a great team man,” Green said.

Winterstein scored 97 tries in his 10-year NRL career, which began with two years at the Broncos.

Originally published as Antonio Winterstein announces his immediate NRL retirement due to chronic knee injuries