Dubbo’s favourite football son, Canterbury captain Andrew Ryan has announced he will retire from rugby league at the end of the NRL season.
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The 32-year-old admitted he was disappointed at the sacking of Kevin Moore as coach last month, but denied that was a deciding factor or that he was forced out of the club.
After 286 first grade games over 12 seasons - 219 games with the Bulldogs - Ryan said he knew the time was right to call it quits from the game altogether.
Ryan said he talked at length with his wife and long-term friend Olivia and teammate Michael Hodgson and decided to turn down offers from the English Super League, and will take up an education and welfare role with the NRL.
The former NSW and Australian Test representative said his body was telling him enough was enough.
Ryan has come a long way since his junior days with St John’s in Dubbo.
As well as his stellar club career with the Bulldogs, he played 11 Tests for Australia, 12 State of Origin games and for Country Origin.
His last appearance at home in Dubbo was as the winning captain of the Bulldogs who beat Canberra in a trial match at Apex Oval in February 2010.
Ryan made his NRL debut for Parramatta against Brisbane at Parramatta Stadium on February 11, 2000. He played with the Eels from 2000-02 before joining the Bulldogs.
“The last month, the season was going by and you get a good gauge of how your body and how your mind is feeling through that middle part of the season,” Ryan said, who described leading the Bulldogs to the 2004 premiership as a career highlight.
“Just then I tried to chase my three year-old out in the hallway and I couldn’t catch her so I might just retire now.”
Ryan was adamant Canterbury didn’t force his hand.
“Realistically, I was ready to retire and that’s the decision I’ve made and I’m very happy with that decision,” he said.
“It wasn’t great to see Kevin depart but it was my personal decision and a decision for my family so that had no real impact.
“(England) was an option, I did think about it but ... mentally and physically, I suppose it was time.
“I’ve been in the NRL for 12 seasons now and probably not getting any quicker at this stage of my career, and if I wasn’t 100 per cent right to go overseas and play next year (I wasn’t going to do it).
“The opportunity to work in the NRL in something I’m very passionate about certainly outweighed all those factors.”
Ryan said he had many people to thank for supporting him throughout his playing career.
“It goes without saying that I couldn’t have done it without my family,” he said.
“I want to thank my wife Olivia, our three greats kids, my parents Jim and Laurel, my brothers James and Tim (all of Dubbo) and all my close mates for their unwavering support. I need to thank the army of Bulldogs members and fans, who in my opinion are the most passionate and loyal in the game.
“I also want to pay tribute to the fantastic players and coaches that I have worked alongside at the club. Steve Folkes gave me the captaincy, which is something I will always thank him for, while Kevin Moore and Jim Dymock have been great over the last few years.”
