Sydney Roosters skipper Jake Friend has retired from rugby league after 264 games and 14 seasons at the top level.
The veteran hooker, who suffered 20 concussions during a decorated career, on Tuesday night informed the Roosters that he will not play another game in the NRL.
Jake Friend has begun telling his teammates that he will retire immediately from the NRL.Credit: Getty Images
Friend, who will go down as one of the club’s greatest competitors, was heavily concussed at the SCG in a head knock in the opening-round victory over Manly.
It was his third concussion in six months, prompting serious conversations about his welfare and health if he decided to return to the field.
Part of the reason Friend has decided to hang up the boots is the perspective he gained from the birth of his first child just days before he suffered the career-defining head knock against the Sea Eagles.
Sydney Roosters are expected to make an official announcement about Friend in the next 24 hours.
The club is now finalising the financial implications of his decision to retire. The Roosters won’t be entitled to salary cap relief for the remainder of the season because this is the final year of Friend’s deal.
The Roosters have led the way when it comes to dealing with players suffering concussion, providing Boyd Cordner, Luke Keary and Ryan Matterson with extended time off from the sport to recover from the impact of their injuries.
Cordner has been rested for the first three months of the season following a series of concussions last year, but he is on track to return for the tricolours in the round 14 clash against the Titans following the team’s bye in round 13.
Roosters veteran Jake Friend was knocked out during round one of the season. Credit: Getty
Friend played 264 games during 14 seasons in the NRL, winning three premierships with the Roosters. Friend made his State of Origin debut for Queensland last year, playing all three matches for the Maroons in their series victory. He also played one Test for Australia in 2016.
Friend made his NRL debut for the Roosters in 2008, was sacked by the club just a year later for off-field indiscretions and worked as a sandwich hand until he was given a chance at redemption in 2010.
“The position that he’s in is a tough one,” teammate Jared Waerea-Hargreaves said on Tuesday. “He’s been a warrior for us at the Roosters. To go out not on his own terms is definitely the disappointing part. He’s got a family now; he’s a new father. There’s bigger and other things to life than just footy.
“We’ve been playing this game for so long that you really love and you’re passionate about, but you also have a long time of life left. Your kids definitely give you another perspective on life. But you don’t want to use it as an excuse. You want to keep putting one foot forward. When you are in love with the game and you’ve been doing it for so long, it makes it a pretty tough decision to make. He’s been an absolute warrior for us for so long.
“Having that little child there, that little boy, is definitely a good distraction to go home to ... he’s still running around training and walking around with a big smile on his face, as he does every day. But it would be tough for sure. It’s a credit to the club the way we’ve handled the situation, for sure.”
Sport newsletter
Sports news, results and expert commentary delivered straight to your inbox each weekday. Sign up here.