Penrith Panthers prop Sam McKendry signs with St Marys Rugby League
Former Penrith Panthers prop Sam McKendry has announced his retirement from NRL but will still be on the field next season.
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He might have hung up his boots for the Penrith Panthers but Sam McKendry will be back on the paddock in 2020.
The Panthers prop has signed on to play for St Marys Rugby League next season.
It is a major coup for the Saints who will gain greatly from the experience of the former New Zealand international, who underwent three consecutive ACL reconstructions in the latter stage of his NRL career.
“You can’t play football forever,’’ said McKendry, who is working as a truck driver.
“But I still feel like I can contribute to St Marys with all my years of experience.
“It’s good to stay connected and I can show a few of the young guys how things are done.’’
McKendry said he had retired on his own terms and not been forced out by a series of major surgeries which marred the end of his career.
“My career didn’t end as I planned due to consecutive ACL injuries but I never let injury force me into medical retirement and fought back each time to retire on my own terms,” he said in his retirement post on social media.
“It’s been one hell of a journey and it wasn’t always easy but I wouldn’t change a thing.”
McKendry bowed out at age 30, 10 years after making his debut for the Panthers in 2008.
In all he played in 147 NRL games and eight Test matches after moving from New Zealand to Australia in 2007.
“Looking back over the years I’ve had a good career and I’m proud of the achievements I’ve made, I’m happy and healthy so that’s the main thing,’’ he said.
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Originally published as Penrith Panthers prop Sam McKendry signs with St Marys Rugby League