He’s won two NRL premierships, two rare NSW State of Origin series triumphs, and two Four Nations trophies for the Kangaroos, but Luke Lewis still isn’t satisfied with his NRL career.
As he prepares to join the game’s exclusive 300-game club on Friday, Lewis admits his recently-signed one-year extension may not be his last as he craves more success with Cronulla.
And that includes winning back-to-back NRL titles with the Sharks.
“I really believe if we can put our head down and focus on what we can do well at Cronulla, we can definitely get to the end of the season in that big game,” Lewis said.
“You never know what can happen from there. I don’t want to be greedy, but I want to keep pushing forward and trying to win as many premierships as I can before I retire.”
That time may not even be at the end of next season despite the ageless warrior penning a one-year extension with the Sharks a fortnight ago.
If his body feels the same as it does in one year, there’s every chance he could play on.
“This year I was always planning on just seeing how the body felt and when I got to round 12, make a decision from there,” Lewis said.
“I feel amazing at the moment so I’ve done one year and if I get halfway through next year and I’m feeling amazing, I’ll go from there and maybe kick on.
“But if I’m not, I’m not going to drag it on. I don’t want to drag any club on, I just want to make sure I’m doing the right thing for myself and the club, so they can make the right decision.”
Lewis credited his longevity to the Sharks’ medical staff as well as his current teammates for pushing his body to the limits since his arrival from Penrith in 2013.
But he said it was only fitting he brought up his triple-century milestone in this week’s Women in League round, given his mum, sister, wife and daughter have played key roles in his career.
His mum Sharon, sister Krysti and wife Sonia were all critical in helping him overcome a thyroid cancer scare in 2012 when he questioned his future in the game.
“I remember when I got told about my thyroid cancer, I probably wouldn’t get peak fitness and all that stuff so I started to freak out,” he recalled.
“Would I get to play footy again? Would I always be able to play at the top of my game?”
He said his only regret came from failing to finish off his final year at Penrith.
“The only disappointing thing I found was that I didn’t get to finish off that season with Penrith and play the few games,” he said.
“I had to miss the rest of the year because I wasn’t allowed to play at that particular point.”
Conan of Cooma
Roar Rookie
Aw diddums, do you need a cuddle?
chump
Guest
cronolla sharps shoulda have had more than a 3 game ban.
Mike
Guest
Awesome player and a very likable guy. A real asset to every team his played for.
mac
Guest
NSW dumped him after winning the 2014 SOO series at the age of 29. They also dumped their halves pairing and put Mitch Pearce at 5/8. Go figure. Congrats luke, a wonderful ambassador and player for Rugby League
Albo
Guest
Top story Scotty ! You gotta wonder how he ever got to 300 games and ditched cancer along the way ! Maybe some of the good guys do get looked after ?
Bluey
Guest
Apparently he's the glue that brings the Sharkies playing group together (young, new, and old). This is the type of guy you want around the Blues camp and was IMO prematurely cut. He's a Jackson, Cordner, and W.Graham (minus the ill-discipline) all rolled into one.
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
One of my all time favourites. When he says he's feeling great, it's hard to argue, no bunged up chassis would have streeted the field over 100m in successive weeks. And another thing, NSW dudded themselves by leaving him on the couch.
Craig
Guest
He would probably need to play 3 more seasons to break the record, I doubt he's going to do that. A wonderful player though. Admired by all and should've had a blues jersey this year IMO.
Andrew
Guest
Fantastic player and seems to be well liked by fellow players and fans of all clubs. Complete respect for the guy. If he broke the record for most games played, it would be well earned and he would earn a standing ovation in any stadium in the country. Testament to how well liked he is, is that no one questions how offside he was in those two interceptions in back to back weeks, we just enjoyed them.
Oingo Boingo
Guest
And most importantly, he loves dirt bikes.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Great player and this year is probably one of the top five 2nd rowers in the game. Glad to see him get to his 300th and I think Cronulla will be playing out of their skins this week to honour that.
Magnus M. Østergaard
Roar Guru
I dont want to discredit Lewis in anyway, but that could be said about every player in the game to have played 275 or more matches pretty much. AFAIK Lewis only missed 6 or so games from his thyroid cancer. He did often missout of 5-10 matches/season throughout the year. He is an absolute warrior none-the-less and a statesman of the game.
Big Daddy
Guest
Still tackles as well as any forward and reads game as well as anybody hence his 2 intercept tries recently. Wouldn't be out of place on SOO. What happened to other Luke ( Rooney ) Penrith had pretty good back line in those days.
Jimmmy
Guest
This guy is a legend . On the wing , in the halves , in the backrow, he just keeeps reinventing himself. I think he is enjoying his footy as much as ever. Never seen him smile bigger than after the intercept tries. Go round again mate. You are a long time retired.
Scott Sattler
Guest
I remember Lewy as this skinny little, pigeon toed kid who travelled to Melbourne with us as a 17 year old in 2001 and he was 18th man. An injury in the warm up gave him his chance and 2 years later as an 19 year old he was teaching us old guys what it took to win. He is a born winner this guy and salt of the earth off the field. My favourite Luke Lewis story is the day he was sticking a knife in the toaster to get his crumpet out at training one morning. We told him don't do that you will get electrocuted if you stick a knife in the toaster.... He threw the knife in the sink and got a fork out. True warrior.........
Nat
Roar Guru
Well done to Luke Lewis. I heard a stat a while ago that if not for injury/health reasons, he would've surpassed Lockyer for most games played in the NRL. Seems like a champion bloke definitely a champion player.
Conan of Cooma
Roar Rookie
An honour having him at the Sharks. Top player, top bloke.
kk
Roar Pro
Congratulations to Luke on attaining the magic '300' I rate Luke as worthy of a place in Rugby League's top 100. It is a privilege to watch Luke in action. He puts in 100%, be it attack or defence. When Luke appeared on 'League Life' and advised that he found it exciting to be there,it was most noticeable that hosts were keenly reciprocal. Future career path? Looking forward to every game remaining in a magnificent career. If ever there was a coach in the making, it is Luke Lewis. Unless the Fox lures him in front of camera.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
I sum this guy up ,by saying he is a champion on then field and ditto off the field. He puts in week after week, despite being just about the oldest in the side.He has battled cancer. Pure courage and a great advertisement for the game.Wish there were more like him.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Brilliant! He really is one of the great guys of league and deserves every accolade. Has been the heart and soul of two clubs, has played every position on the field bar prop, two premierships 13 years apart, cancer survivor, rep honours and success. Never a hint of trouble and never gave less than everything. Started with a clean cut pretty boy wingers face, now has the battered melon of a second rower. Congratulations - great achievement!!