Thursday 20 July 2017 13:12, UK
First Danny McGuire. And now Rob Burrow. The golden generation is officially over. Both half backs have confirmed they won't be at Headingley for the 2018 season. Burrow will officially retire at the end of the season.
And it's been some career in the Blue and Amber. He's Leeds' fifth-highest appearance maker, an accolade not many expected him to reach when he first broke through. Burrow's size was often questioned in his early career, but he's stood toe to toe with some of Super League's biggest and won the battle. So to celebrate a terrific career, here are some of his best bits:
Breakthrough season - 2001
It all started in 2001. Number 29 Rob Burrow came off the bench in a 18-16 defeat to Hull FC at Headingley, in a game remembered more as being the last game of the Dean Lance tenure. But the young half back didn't look back. He started the next game against Warrington and gave the Rhinos fans a little taste of what was to come, touching down in a heavy 36-6 defeat.
The new coach Daryl Powell kept Burrow involved for the rest of the season, alternating him between the scrum half position and the bench and he played 18 times that year, scoring seven tries and kicking 16 goals. A star was born.
First Grand Final ring - 2004
By the time Tony Smith took charge at Headingley, Burrow had established himself as part of the furniture, one of many young stars about to form a generation that Leeds fans will talk about forever. Burrow missed one game in a season that saw Leeds end 32 years of hurt.
And although he wasn't a regular starter, Smith used Burrow's electric pace and running ability to hurt the opposition off the bench. He played his role in the Grand Final, despite Kevin Sinfield and Danny McGuire starting in the halves and Burrow went on to pick up his first Old Trafford winners' ring. The first of many to come.
Man of the match display - 2007
Leeds went into the 2007 Grand Final as firm underdogs having trailed St Helens for much of the season. But in Tony Smith's last game in charge, they went about bashing the bookies at Old Trafford. And they did it in some style.
Burrow started this one, partnering Danny McGuire in the halves and he turned in a display worthy of his first Harry Sunderland award.
Although the scrum-half didn't cross himself, his role in a Leeds attack that put St Helens to the sword in that 33-6 win caught the eye of the man-of-the-match voters. And his game management was highlighted in perfect fashion with a drop goal to put the game beyond the Saints at 18-6. The first of three Grand Final triumphs in a row.
International superstar - 2007
Burrow played 13 times for Great Britain and England, but his finest hour, or indeed hours, came in the 2007 series against New Zealand, straight after the Grand Final. Burrow, playing in the scrum-half role under his club coach Tony Smith, won man of the series after three terrific displays in a 3-0 series whitewash.
He kicked an important four goals from four in a tight 20-14 first Test win at Huddersfield, his boot proving the difference as the two sides both scored three tries each. Things were a little more straightforward in the second Test, Burrow crossing in a 44-0 win in Hull. And he starred again in the third Test in Wigan, again crossing for a four pointer and kicking four of his six goals as Great Britain edged to a 28-22 win to seal a stunning series success.
Old Trafford's finest performance? - 2011
Was this the greatest Grand Final performance Super League's witnessed? Leeds and St Helens were separated by a majestic display from a Leeds substitute - Rob Burrow himself.
Sitting on the Old Trafford bench as the game kicked off, not even Burrow could have imagined how that October night would have finished. The match was locked at 2-2 after half an hour when Burrow first made his mark. And what a way to do it. With arguably the best try the Grand Final's seen, Burrow scooted under two Saints defenders, danced past Paul Wellens, evaded the clutches of James Roby and beat another two to dive over for an incredible four-pointer.
Many people forget that Leeds then succumbed, going 16-8 down. They levelled at 16-each before Burrow stuck again. Bursting from dummy half, Burrow made an outside break, dummying one defender before releasing Ryan Hall to score. Leeds never looked back and Burrow lifted the Harry Sunderland trophy for the second time, picking up 100% of the vote. The pinnacle of his career.
Victory at last - 2014
Burrow, like the rest of the golden generation, was missing just the Challenge Cup from his medal collection. And Burrow, again like his teammates, had endured plenty of final heartbreak in the past.
But when the Rhinos faced off against West Yorkshire rivals Castleford at Wembley in 2014, this time they weren't to be denied. Burrow played a key role, starting at hooker, and kicking the high ball that Danny McGuire collected as Leeds took control of the final.
And as the hooter blew on the 23-10 victory, Burrow climbed up the Wembley steps to complete the full collection of medals.
What a career.
