Veteran Gold Coast fullback Michael Gordon has announced he will retire at the end of the NRL season.
The 35-year-old believed the time was right to draw the curtain on a 14-season career which has also featured stints at Penrith, Cronulla, Parramatta and the Sydney Roosters.
Gordon – who earned a 2010 NSW State of Origin cap – has scored 92 tries over 257 games to date.
He has played 32 games for the Gold Coast since arriving in 2018.
“I have been very fortunate to have enjoyed the career that I have, to have played at some wonderful clubs, and to have shared time with wonderful friends and teammates over the past 14 seasons,” Gordon said in a statement.
“I am very proud to be a Titan and very grateful to the Gold Coast for giving me the chance to finish my career by representing the region I started with as an under-seven with the Tweed Coast Raiders many years ago.
“I am excited about the road ahead of me in life after football, and also excited for the bright future ahead for the Gold Coast Titans.”
Gordon’s announcement comes barely a month after the goal kicking No.1 returned to NRL action.
He had battled a blood clot in his leg that sidelined him for more than two months.
It was the latest setback the veteran had overcome after an ACL injury in 2011 at Penrith before last year’s debut Titans season was cut short by a wrist complaint.
Titans head of performance and culture Mal Meninga paid tribute to Gordon’s durability.
“The mark of a successful career is longevity, and the fact that Michael was able to play more than 250 games for five clubs despite some very serious injuries tells you a lot about his tenacity and resilience,” Meninga said.
“There is no doubt he would have played 300 NRL games were it not for those injuries, and to still be contributing on the field the way he has this season at 35 years of age is a real credit to him.
“He is a credit to the rugby league community, and hopefully we will see him involved with the Titans for many years to come.”