One of the longest and most versatile careers in rugby league will end in 2018 with veteran Cronulla star Luke Lewis to retire at the completion of the season.
Lewis was a part of the Sharks’ 2016 NRL premiership team and also won a title in 2003 with his former club, Penrith.
He also represented NSW at State of Origin level and played 16 Tests for Australia.
Currently equal 18th on the alltime NRL games list with 315 matches, Lewis is expected to finish just outside the top ten by season’s end.
But his longevity is just a part of the story.
Across his NRL career he has started in all positions barring the front row and fullback and is thought to have covered those missing spots at some point during matches.
Lewis told FoxSports that former Panther Brad Izzard had instilled a strong work ethic in him, something that would serve him well as he changed positions and clubs.
“I remember as a young kid Brad Izzard came into the room and said to us, ‘You might think you’re the most talented player in this room, but I promise you the most talented won’t make it, the ones that will make it are the ones that are willing to work hard,” Lewis said.
“I never made anything as a kid. I never made schoolboys or any sort of representative side but that was something pretty close to my heart what Brad said.
“He said if you’re willing to be out training on Christmas Day and the bloke that’s coming up for your position is not you get that little bit of an edge over him and you might get an opportunity.
“So, that’s something that I’ve always done.”
Currently playing in the backrow with the Sharks, Lewis first came to prominence in 2002 with Penrith when he scored 17 tries in 23 matches in a breakout season.
By the following season he’d won a grand final with the club, scored another 18 tries largely from the wing and was selected in the Kangaroos squad at the end of the season.
He’d start a decade-plus run with NSW in State of Origin the next year, finishing with 17 state caps at the end of 2014.
Lewis came close to joining South Sydney in 2008 but stayed with the Panthers before eventually linking up with current club Cronulla in 2013.
He won the 2016 Clive Churchill medal as best on ground during the grand final.
cranky old man
Guest
I have never met the guy, but have admired his work for a long time. A great player.
Wayne Turner
Guest
Great player,and a great career he has had. I hope Gallen takes the hint and follows suit.
Marc
Guest
Agreed. May not have got the raps he deserved. NRL should have made him a bigger role model
Nat
Roar Guru
That's interesting to read he never made any schoolboys reps teams as he so talented as a young winger and only got better. His rep career finished way too soon, I would argue he's still a better player then the current reps. Good bloke, great player and I hope he has mild success this year but a very successful 2019 -.
Albo
Guest
Champion player ! Champion bloke ! Just the way we like our footy heroes.
Emcie
Roar Guru
To be fair I've heard people say the same about the host, without the great player bit
BA Sports
Roar Guru
They really are. It basically says he played close to a full season in 5 different positions plus more than half a season at halfback.
Paul
Roar Guru
agreed Emcie.
Paul
Roar Guru
I think Izzard speech to Lewis started with the words "If only I....."
Edward Kelly
Roar Guru
Great player but not much of a NRL commentator on NRL360.
Emcie
Roar Guru
Am I the only one that feels a bit uneasy with players making big announcements through media sponsors? Not to take anything away from Lewis' career or to tarnish his reputation but surely a players first commitment is to the NRL and big announcements relating to that should be public rather then exclusives for paid access media. I doubt Lewis put much thought into the decision and just took an opportunity to make the announcement on a platform that was availible to him but I'm a bit worried about the precedent that sets.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Thanks BA. They’re pretty amazing numbers...he didn’t just play one or two games filling in any of these positions. Even knowing he started in the backs I would have guessed that around 60% of his games were in the second row.
Emcie
Roar Guru
Completely agree, he is exactly why a hall of fame exists. Not in any immortal discussions but clearly a cut above the rest and he deserves some recognition
BA Sports
Roar Guru
Games played in position by Luke Lewis (in the NRL) Wing: 51 Centre: 63 Five-Eight: 20 Halfback: 14 Lock: 54 Second row: 99 Interchange: 14 Versatile and by all reports still is the fastest guy over 10m at the Sharks
The Barry
Roar Guru
Good on Lewis. Played tough as anyone over a long career but I reckon you’d have to go a long way to find a player or fan who didn’t like him. Didn’t he have a cancer battle a few years ago as well? Am I the only one who appreciates the irony of Brad Izzard providing inspiration with a ‘hard work wins over talent’ speech?
Paul
Roar Guru
This guy's a Hall of Famer for sure. Not only did he play just about everywhere on the field, he played really well in each of those roles. He's going to leave an enormous hole for the Sharks to fill
jamesb
Guest
Tough, reliable and versatile. Those three words epitomize Luke Lewis. He has achieved everything in the game, and at some point, he has probably played in every position, even prop. A couple of years ago, i wanted Cronulla to win the premiership because of Lewis. Who could forget in the GF where he prevented himself from doing a double movement. Not long after, Cronulla scored. I have been following rugby league for over 30 years, and he is one of my all time favourites. A great ambassador to the game, a cancer survivor and a true gentleman. The NRL is poorer with his retirement.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Played his heart out every game, never shirked his duty,a pleasure to watch.A respected gent both on and off the field.The game will be poorer for his retirement. Gave tremendous service to Penrith,Sharks,NSW and the Kangaroos.Couldn't ask for more.
jimmmy
Guest
What a player Luke Lewis has been. Is there a position he hasn’t played? The guy is super tough , talented and seems like a good bloke to boot.. Great player, great career .
Greg
Guest
What a great career, he's the most versatile player in NRL history. He's played every position on the field at some stage during his career and has been selected for either NSW or Aus teams as a winger, center, lock, and second rower. He's also won First Grade man of the match awards as a five eighth and halfback.300+ First Grade games, two premierships with two different clubs, Clive Churchill medal, Origin series wins, World Cup and Four Nations titles, he's done it all. Well done.