NRL 2021: Cowboys star Michael Morgan facing shock retirement

North Queensland captain Michael Morgan’s career has come to a tragic end following a series of shoulder problems.

Cowboys star Michael Morgan’s career is on the line. Picture: Evan Morgan

North Queensland Cowboys co-captain and NRL premiership hero Michael Morgan is set to be forced into retirement by a chronic shoulder injury.

The Sunday Mail understands Morgan’s career has come to a tragic end following a series of shoulder problems.

At age 29, Morgan will not play in the NRL again and is expected to be medically retired with a $2.5 million payout.

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Morgan was ruled out of Sunday’s Round 3 game between the Cowboys and Gold Coast Titans at Queensland Country Bank Stadium due to the persistent shoulder injury.

It was the final straw in what has been an arduous battle for the hero of North Queensland’s breakthrough 2015 NRL title.

Michael Morgan is facing a career-defining ultimatum. Picture: Evan Morgan

The Cowboys have remained tight-lipped about Morgan’s impending retirement, but head of football Michael Luck admitted his shoulder had become a problem.

“At the moment he is trying to get through this weekend and see how it goes early next week,” Luck said when asked if Morgan’s career was on the line.

“I don’t want to make any comment on that (career-threatening). We are all hoping that it settles down over the weekend and he’s okay next week.

“He’s had multiple surgeries on that shoulder so it’s always going to be a problem for him.

“A lot of guys at the back end of their career are like that. I don’t think he’s extraordinary in that regard.”

Morgan has had shoulder injuries throughout his glittering 168-game NRL career but he has managed to overcome them in the past, becoming a Kangaroos and Queensland Origin star on his way to securing a $5 million contract.

Michael Morgan has had shoulder injuries throughout his glittering 168-game NRL career. Picture: Evan Morgan

Morgan still has two-and-a-half years to run on his five-year deal, leaving the Cowboys with the prospect of a $2.5 million payout.

If it is deemed a medical retirement by the NRL that money will not be included in North Queensland’s salary cap.

However it will be a sad end to one of the Cowboys’ finest careers.

A Townsville product, Morgan debuted for North Queensland in 2010 and went on to become a captain of his local club.

He played a key role in the Cowboys’ 2015 title with his remarkable play in the final seconds and was the NRL’s best player late in the 2017 season as North Queensland went on a fairytale run to the grand final, losing to Melbourne.

But his past three seasons have been plagued by injuries and poor form as the Cowboys plummeted down the ladder.

Morgan made only six appearances last year, undergoing a shoulder operation during the COVID season suspension which resulted in an infection requiring more surgery.

He returned for four games but was well below full fitness and sat out the final four rounds of the season.

Michael Morgan has 2½ years left on his contract with the Cowboys. Picture: Evan Morgan

The Cowboys feared Morgan may never play again, but he managed to rehabilitate the shoulder during the 2021 pre-season and took the field this year.

However he was targeted during the opening two rounds and has not been able to withstand a heavy defensive load as opposition teams expose his weakness.

Cowboys CEO Jeff Riebel said he will meet with Morgan and club doctors in the coming days.

“I am of the opinion we are not at that stage (retirement) yet but it is certainly a worry,” he said.

“We are giving Michael this weekend off to continue some rehab. We need to talk to Michael and have a look at how he is continuing his rehab and make a decision moving forward.

“We have a guy who has given so much to our club, he is our club captain and he has gone through some trauma with a number of injuries over the past few years.

“’Morgo’ has been an outstanding player for this club so we will talk to the medical staff and take on board their advice.”

Originally published as NRL 2021: Cowboys star Michael Morgan facing shock retirement