Kimmorley: The time was right
Source:http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=...eague-news-display/noddy-time-was-right-97437
Kimmorley: The time was right
26/08/2010 4:01 PM
Adam Lucius
Brett Kimmorley thought he could play rugby league forever – and apparently he wasn't the only one.
After announcing he would retire at the end of this season after 307 NRL games across 15 years and five clubs, the man they call 'Noddy' revealed up to six teams were still chasing his signature the night before he officially called it quits.
Canberra, Parramatta and his former club Cronulla led the pack of pursuers, but in the end the soon-to-be 34-year-old knew time was up.
One of the game's gentlemen to the end, Kimmorley personally rang each club to thank them for their interest, politely declining the offers to play on.
He will instead join the Bulldogs coaching staff with a charter to tutor the club's young halves, including new recruit Trent Hodkinson.
"I had phone calls up until last night wanting my playing days to continue," Kimmorley revealed at a lengthy press conference on Thursday attended by team-mates and his family.
"It's taken a long time to come to this decision but I feel like I've made the right decision."
"I always thought I could play footy forever but you get to an age where you realise you can't do that."
"I wish I could play another five or 10 years because the enjoyment factor is there but it's time."
"I get to retire with everything still intact."
Kimmorley started out with Newcastle in 1995 and spent two seasons there before stints at the Hunter Mariners (1997), Melbourne (1998-2000), the Northern Eagles (2001), Cronulla (2001-07) and Canterbury (2009-10).
He played 20 times for his country and represented NSW on 10 occasions but rates the 1999 premiership win with Storm as a career highlight.
He endured a tortuous season with the Eagles in 2001 and walked into another furnace at the Sharks
He was replacing club favourite and 2001 Dally M winner Preston Campbell and copped it from the fans before winning them over and captaining the club.
It eventually ended in tears when Ricky Stuart controversially showed him the door at the end of the 2008 season.
Kimmorley's rep career appeared over when he threw the intercept pass that led to NSW's defeat in an Origin game in 2005.
But he defied the odds to go on and don the blue jumper again in 2007, '09 and '10.
Earlier this season Kimmorley became the first half-back in history to reach 300 first grade games, but he still hasn't convinced some critics of his standing in the game.
The fight for total acceptance is one he long ago abandoned.
"In the past it might have been said I was too selfish or one dimensional," Kimmorley said.
"I do care about sharing the ball and playing with team-mates."
"I'm happy to walk off the field if we're beaten by a better side (as long) as we play well and I've done my job."
"I don't really take notice of what you guys (in the media) say."
"I've had some horrible lows but got through it."
"I've achieved a lot."
Asked how he'd like to be remembered, Kimmorley replied: "As someone who is very competitive and hopefully a team player."
Kimmorley talked through his options with former coach and long-time mentor Chris Anderson before deciding to retire.
Bulldogs coach – and Anderson's brother-in-law – Kevin Moore believes the timing is right, especially with a ready-made replacement in Hodkinson on his way.
"I've got no doubt if circumstances were different Brett would go on and play for another 12 months and be the great competitor and talented football he's always been," Moore said.
"From a club point of view we had to look at the long term and he was very supportive (of that)."
"This is a great decision for our club. I think we fit each other."