After more than a decade of living his NRL dream, former representative forward Aidan Guerra has announced he's calling time on his career at the end of the season.
The 32-year-old Newcastle Knights veteran, who represented Queensland in State of Origin as well as Australia and Italy in the international arena, joined the Knights from the Sydney Roosters in 2018.
Guerra, who won both the coaches and gladiator award at the Danny Buderus Medal awards night in his first season at Newcastle, has been hampered by injuries over the past two seasons.
The versatile back-rower made his NRL debut in 2010 with the Roosters and played 154 matches for the club, including the 2013 grand final win over Manly.
With 53 matches for the Knights, he stands at 207 for his career heading into the final three rounds of the season and Newcastle's first play-off series since 2013.
"Hey everyone, I’ve decided that after 13 years of living my dream in the NRL I will be retiring at the end of the season. It’s a decision I am very comfortable with and am excited to see what the future holds for me, Bel and our little family," he wrote in his farewell post on social media.
"Thank you to my friends, family and all the great people I’ve met along the way that have supported me, helped me, doubted me or influenced me in any way. I never could have dreamed of having a career like this, and I couldn’t have done it without you all.
"I’ve been fortunate to have played with some of the best and toughest players this game has seen, coached by some of the best coaches and am happy to call some of them my mates for life.
"Anyone who knows me knows that it’s always been about more than football, it’s the good times shared off the field that makes what you achieve on the field so special, and I’m lucky to have plenty of those memories in the bank.
"Looking forward to finishing my career off with the great group of blokes here at the Knights and am excited for what life will bring after the final hooter sounds. Cheers Dos."