- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Brisbane Broncos captain Corey Parker has called time on his NRL career, with 2016 to be his last season in the competition.
Parker has played 336 games for the Broncos since making his debut in 2001, more than any other forward in the history of the NRL, and is within touching distance of Darren Lockyer’s all-time record of 355.
But that record will remain under Lockyer’s name after Parker decided now was the right time to hang up his boots.
“At some stage all good things come to an end, and 2016 will be the end of my playing career, but the start of my new journey off the field in which I will remain part of the game.
“I’d like to thank my family and close friends, my teammates and coaches over 16 years, the Broncos’ club, members and fans, and the game of rugby league as a whole.”
Parker set his NRL career in motion when he played for Brisbane’s feeder club, the Toowoomba Clydesdales, and was given a contract by the Broncos when he was aged just 17.
His debut came a year later against the Warriors with the then-18-year-old making an impression by scoring a try after coming off the bench.
Since then Parker has developed into one of the NRL’s elite second-rowers, as well as an excellent goal kicker. His State of Origin career started in 2004 and has continued up to this year, as he remains a key cog in the Maroons’ squad.
Parker has made 13 appearances for the Kangaroos since first turning out for Australia in 2011, and he was a part of the side which won the 2013 World Cup. He also played an integral role in the Broncos’ premiership success in 2006, kicking an important goal as Brisbane beat Melbourne 15-8 in the grand final.
“Corey is a role model for what the Broncos stand for as a club – he started here as a teenager and will finish his career here,” said Paul White, the Broncos’ chief executive.
“Not many people get to do that in the NRL, but he has earned that respect and the right to retire on his own terms.”
He finishes as the Broncos’ all-time leading point-scorer, with 1302 points including 39 tries and 573 goals, with no doubt more to come this year.
Reckon you can pick the winning team? Build your own dream team with Draftstars daily fantasy and compete on any match. For great odds on the NRL head on over to PlayUp. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.