CQ Capras captain Jack Madden announces retirement

Central Queensland Capras captain has made a huge call on his Hostplus Cup future as the club prepares for its 2025 campaign. Discover his plans here.

CQ Capras skipper Jack Madden has announced his retirement, effective immediately. Photo: Pam McKay

Driving home from a pre-season training session last Friday, Jack Madden knew his footy career was over.

The following day, the CQ Capras’ inspirational skipper told head coach Lionel Harbin and on Monday night he broke the news of his retirement to his fellow squad members.

“It’s still a bit raw,” the experienced halfback said.

“I called it on Saturday so it was a hard weekend.

“I spoke to my mother and father about it but it hasn’t fully set in yet and it will probably be pretty tough when the boys start playing again but I’ll be okay.”

Jack Madden told the playing squad about his retirement on Monday night. Photo: Luke Fletcher

Madden said it was a troublesome left hip that ultimately forced his hand.

“That’s what has let me down,” he said.

“I had surgery on it at the end of 2022, clean-out surgery, but it’s gone downhill since then.

“It’s full of arthritis. I’ve been told by the surgeon that he can’t do any more for me, he can only give me a hip replacement but he’s not giving me that at 31.”

Madden made his Q-Cup debut with the Capras on March 4, 2017.

He went on to play eight seasons, seven of them as captain.

Jack Madden played eight seasons with the CQ Capras.

He was the ultimate professional. He always gave 100 per cent and never expected his teammates to do anything he could not.

And it was his inability to “practise what he preached” that was a deciding factor.

“I definitely wanted to keep playing; my mind is still feeling very fresh and I’m still loving my footy but the decision was taken out of my hands,” he said.

“It (my hip) is not up to playing at Q-Cup standard or the standard that the Capras deserve nor the standard that I’ve set myself.

“I could have kept going and playing busted but I don’t think that’s fair on the club or my family or myself.

“It is what it is. That’s footy, sometimes you don’t get to finish the way you want to.”

CQ Capras' skipper Jack Madden at pre-season training. Photo: Luke Fletcher

Madden had raised the injury with Harbin in the off-season.

“I said to him I want to give myself a couple of weeks and see how it goes because I’ll know pretty quickly,” he said.

“After three sessions I knew, a bit quicker than I thought it would be.

“On Friday after training, I was driving home and I knew that was it.

“I had a bit of a moment to myself on the way home. It was pretty tough.”

A popular and highly regarded figure at the club, Madden will not be lost to the Capras.

He is poised to take up a role on the coaching staff, something he says he has always been interested in and is excited for.

Jack Madden with Capras head coach Lionel Harbin.

Madden won’t be drawn on the legacy he leaves at the club. That, he says, is for others to decide.

“I just hope all the boys enjoyed playing with me and that was someone they could count on every week, that’s all I wanted,” he said.

Madden said the club was in a strong position, and he was confident there were a “lot of bright times ahead”.

In his enduring career, it was the dramatic form reversal of the men’s team, going from wooden spooners in 2021 to the finals in 2022, that really stands out for him.

“In the 2022 season, we did a massive u-turn from where we were,” he said.

“It was a collective effort but I am so proud to have been a part of it.

“Actually, I’m really proud of what this kid from Duaringa has done.

“I’ve always loved footy and I’m lucky I’ve been able to do it for so long.”

Originally published as CQ Capras captain Jack Madden announces retirement