Adrian Morley confirms he will retire at end of season
Thursday 10 September 2015 19:49, UK
Super League great Adrian Morley has announced he will retire at the end of Salford's season.
The 38-year-old's 20-year career has included spells at Leeds, Bradford and Warrington either side of a period in Australia's NRL, and he has been with hometown club Salford since 2014.
Red Devils owner Marwan Koukash as good-as revealed the decision on Wednesday when he announced Morley would be made a club ambassador.
And the former Great Britain star - the only active player whose career pre-dates the Super League era - confirmed the news at a Thursday press conference, saying: "I've been fortunate to have a long career but it's time to call it a day.
"I've been a bit torn and I will miss it but you've got finish at some point. The defining moment came the other week when we played Bradford. I hurt my neck and made my decision then."
Salford director of rugby Tim Sheens said: "Adrian is a tremendous character on and off the field.
"I knew him from Sydney and what sort of competitor he was when we played them. It's been a pleasure to be involved with him here at Salford and hopefully we can help him in the next stage of his life."
And Jamie Peacock, Morley's former Great Britain team-mate who will also quit playing this year, said: "It has been a privilege to play alongside a true great of the game. He is the toughest player I have ever had to compete against."
Morley still has unfinished business before he calls time for good, with Salford still fighting to preserve Super League status.
The Red Devils host Sheffield on Sunday in the fifth of seven end-of-season games still needing points to avoid a play-off for one Super League place between the fourth and fifth-placed finishers in The Qualifiers.
Salford are currently third, two points clear of fourth-placed Wakefield, and this weekend's game will be Morley's last at the AJ Bell Stadium if they can avoid taking part in the Million Pound Game.
