NRL, NRLW, Retiring class of 2023, Jarrod Croker, Wade Graham, James Tamou, Sam Bremner

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Sun 1 Oct 2023, 11:46 AM

From premiership heroes to club legends and journeymen, the retiring class of 2023 have left an indelible mark on the game.

After 16 seasons in the top grade, Wade Graham signs off with 297 NRL games to his name and a place in Sharks folklore as a member of their 2016 premiership side.

Two years prior to the Sharks breaking a 50-year drought, the Rabbitohs won their first title in 43 years with George Burgess in the engine room alongside brothers Sam and Tom.

After joining Wigan in 2020, George returned to the NRL with the Dragons in 2022 and now calls time on his career with 153 games to his name.

Three members of the exclusive 300 Club have also hung up the boots, with Canberra's favourite son Jarrod Croker, Cowboys premiership winner James Tamou and former Bronco, Knight and Dragon Andrew McCullough calling time on decorated careers.

Croker: It's been a special ride

Croker played his 300th game in Round 15 against the Warriors and departs the NRL with 307 games to his credit while McCullough played 309 matches between 2008-22.

A key member of North Queensland's maiden premiership success in 2015, Tamou returned to Townsville in 2023 after stints with the Panthers and Wests Tigers but was restricted to just three games by a foot injury.

Croker and McCullough also played in grand finals - Croker in 2019 and McCullough in 2015 - as did former Raider turned Eel Josh Hodgson and a pair of Canterbury stalwarts in Josh Jackson and Josh Reynolds, who have decided to call it a day.

Josh Reynolds announces retirement

Jackson played 241 games for the Bulldogs and was part of the 2012 and 2014 grand final sides, as was Reynolds, who bid an emotional farewell to the Belmore faithful in NSW Cup in July.

The man affectionately as 'Grub' left the Dogs in 2017 for three seasons at Wests Tigers and two at Hull FC before returning this year to play seven more games, taking his career tally to 167 NRL matches.

A number of departing players are on their way to the Super League, including veterans Lachlan Fitzgibbon, Moses Mbye and Peta Hiku while barnstorming forward Tevita Pangai jnr shocked the NRL when he announced he was retiring to chase a career in boxing just two months after making his Origin debut with NSW.

We will never take for granted what the players and their families contribute to the game, which is why today’s celebration of their Rugby League careers is so important,” NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said.

“The retiring players tribute is an opportunity for the Rugby League community to say thank you. The players have made significant contributions to the game during their careers, and we wish them well in their careers going forward.”

In the NRLW, former Jillaroos co-captain Sam Bremner announced her retirement earlier this year and recently had a third child. Bremner played nine games in stints at the Dragons and Roosters.

Dragons utility Renee Targett retired following the 2023 NRLW season after 15 appearances for the Red V.