NSW State of Origin winner Trent Hodkinson has been forced to retire from the NRL after succumbing to career-ending knee injuries.
Hodkinson has confirmed the 2019 season will be his last, and will end his career where it began at Manly in 2010.
An Origin-series winner with NSW in 2014 when he broke the Blues’ drought with a match-winning try in Game II, Hodkinson also played in a grand final with Canterbury that year.
But he has battled knee injuries for the past four seasons after being a big-name recruit to Newcastle in 2016.
“Unfortunately due to a new injury sustained earlier this year, numerous medical procedures and intensive rehabilitation, I have been forced to give up the game that I love and will be medically retiring from rugby league,” Hodkinson said.
One of the NRL’s best organisers in his prime, the 174-game playmaker formed part of a formidable Canterbury attack in his first years under coach Des Hasler.
But the 31-year-old was limited to just one NRL game – in the opening round – and three NSW Cup fixtures since reuniting with Hasler at the Sea Eagles this year.