Kade Snowden’s retirement set to be rubber-stamped by the NRL

KADE Snowden’s application for medical retirement is set to be confirmed by the NRL, freeing up a significant chunk of Newcastle’s salary cap.

Newcastle's Kade Snowden attempts to bust a tackle during the round 6 NRL game between the Newcastle Knights and the Parramatta Eels at Hunter Stadium. Picture Gregg Porteous

INJURED Newcastle prop Kade Snowden is poised to have his application for medical retirement rubber-stamped by the NRL this week in time to be officially farewelled by Knights fans during the club’s final home game against South Sydney on Sunday.

Snowden, who is under contract to the Knights until the end of next season, has not played due to chronic neck and back injuries since being replaced after a 28 minute stint for the Knights against the Gold Coast back in round one this year.

Specialists have since advised him not to play again.

The Knights submitted independent doctors’ reports to the NRL three months ago in their application to have him medically retired with The Daily Telegraph told it could be officially signed off by the end of this week.

Snowden has not played since Round 1.

Snowden’s medical retirement will mean the bulk of his contract for this season and 2017 will be salary cap-exempt.

As a result, it will free up more than $700,000 in cap space for next season in a major boost for the NRL cellar-dwellers.

Snowden, who played 174 NRL games for the Knights and Cronulla, one Test for Australia and two Origin games for NSW, will be the third player this season alongside Parramatta’s Anthony Watmough and Knights teammate James McManus to be granted a medical retirement.

Originally published as Kade Snowden’s retirement set to be rubber-stamped by the NRL