Wendell Sailor announces his retirement from NRL
THE Dragons’ NRL club has called a surprise press conference where speculation is rife that Wendell Sailor will announce his retirement.
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RUGBY league's great showman Wendell Sailor today retired, ending one of the most colourful careers in the modern game.
Sailor today announced he was retiring from professional sport after representing Australia in both rugby league and rugby union.
One of Australian sport's most charismatic individuals, Sailor will continue to represent rugby league.
He will work for both the Dragons and NRL in addition to fulfilling media commitments, but also suggested he could be used as a weapon to bolster the code's pre-eminent position in western Sydney.
With a new AFL team starting in that region in 2012 and an A-League football side scheduled to commence in that area from 2011, rugby league will be engaged in a battle to retain its traditional advantage in that area.
"We've got a big fight on our hands in rugby league with the AFL in western Sydney," Sailor told AAP on Thursday.
"Rugby union, I don't think is a threat to us, but the AFL is.
"I want to be instrumental in helping because with my profile and the people knowing who I am, obviously I put myself out there a lot.
"If the NRL wants to use me a lot in the battle over western Sydney, I'm more than happy to go to schools and the community and be out there a fair bit.
"But I think the fact that (NRL chief executive office David Gallop) and his colleagues think I'm going to be a positive influence as an ambassador for the game because I've got a good story to tell.
"Whether it's for the rookies or whether for young guys coming through."
Sailor has already had a victory of sorts over the AFL, beating former Sydney Swans full forward Warwick Capper in a recent boxing bout.
After months of speculation, Sailor, 35, made the announcement at the St George Leagues Club this morning, closing the curtain on his glittering 222-game career.
With Dragons and former Broncos coach Wayne Bennett at his side, Sailor told a packed media conference his time was up.
"It's time for me to hang up the boots,” said Sailor.
"I'm very proud with everything I have achieved in my career."
Gallery: Our picture tribute to the Dell
See Wendell's stats for last season and his career
Sailor, who began his career with the Broncos in 1993, where he won four premierships, had an option for a final season with the Dragons in 2010 but said he felt he had achieved all his goals and no longer wished to block the path of the club's rising stars.
Sailor's retirement comes after he was forced to sit out two seasons of professional sport following his positive test for cocaine while playing rugby union.
The veteran was lured back to the NRL by Dragons' CEO Peter Doust and former coach Nathan Brown, which Sailor described as a "lifeline for a 32-year-old has-been".
Sailor revealed he came to the conclusion during a family holiday when he was initially outvoted by his children, Tristan, 11, and Matisse, 6.
Sailor said he was content and has "no unfinished business".
He hopes for a swansong in the Indigenous All Stars v NRL All Stars match on the Gold Coast on February 12.
Bennett today hailed Sailor as one of the greats, but revealed he knew it was time for the dual international to retire.
"I'm pleased for him because he has made the right decision," Bennett said.
Bennett also revealed that Sailor's return to the game after his drugs ejection gave him closure.
"He restored what was most important to him – his credibility".
It will be a decision that will disappoint thousands of Dragons’ fans.
During a long career, the 190cm tall, 112kg Sailor saw the highs and lows of football: 14 games representing Queensland, 16 Tests for the Kangaroos, the controversial switch to rugby union to become a Wallaby then a two-year ban over cocaine.
But coming back form the cocaine ban at an age when most footballers are over the hill, the former Brisbane Bronco star surprised many during this year’s NRL season when the Dragons gave him a lifeline and his player performance was excellent, proving a genuine crowd-puller for the Dragons.
