Widely considered the finest winger of his generation, Sydney Roosters star Brett Morris has officially announced his retirement from the NRL.
Morris suffered a season-ending ACL injury against Newcastle last month and made the inevitable announcement on Monday that he was hanging up the boots.
Every member of Roosters’ 2021 playing and coach staff was at the emotional announcement at the SCG, as well as his family and several friends.
“Whilst it’s not ideal with the injury, the time for me is right,” the 34-year-old said.
“I’ve had a wonderful career spanning 16 seasons. I started as a skinny young kid and finished as an old man with a couple of kids bruised and battered.
“But my rugby league journey has been a wonderful ride.”
Morris retires in fourth position on the all-time try-scorers’ list with 176, behind only Ken Irvine (220), Billy Slater (190) and Steve Menzies (180).
As well as winning premierships with St George Illawarra in 2010 and the Roosters in 2019, the winger played 18 Tests for Australia and 15 State of Origin games for NSW.
He is the only player to win man of the match in two World Club Challenges, in 2012 and 2019.
Roosters coach Trent Robinson declared Morris irreplaceable but said he was already proving a great assistant coach.
“Not everybody gets to go out on their own terms, but looking back over my career, I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunities I’ve had, and I hang up the boots a very proud and content man,” Morris said.
“There are many people who have played an important role in helping me in my career throughout the years, and I’d like to extend my thanks to them all, right back to my junior club the Kiama Knights.”
Andrew
Roar Pro
Amazing career, his contribution to the 2010 Saints Premiership was enormous. Legend shame he couldn’t remain a one club player
criag
Roar Rookie
https://www.nrl.com/news/2019/12/06/souths-have-cash-to-splash-after-burgess-retirement-declared-salary-cap-exempt/
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Took me a while to come around to the B Moz fan club. ( I mean NSW blues AND the Dragons ) but come around i have. He is truly an ornament to the game both on and off the field. I can honestly say I have never seen a better finishing winger in 60 years of RL watching. Some of his efforts to score are beyond belief. Happy retirement B Moz. Put your feet up for a while you deserve it.
Paul
Guest
The Roosters will be asking for & receiving an allowance on their Salary Cap again. As It will be a medical retirement for Morris. Something other clubs aren’t granted.
matth
Roar Guru
Why are his kids bruised and battered?
Succhi
Roar Rookie
His is a great rugby league story. So many twists and turns. Well done BMozz and still many chapters to write.
jamesb
Roar Guru
Congrats BMoz on a sensational career. Very proud of him, especially for someone who came from my region. Even when he played for Canterbury and the Roosters, I still cheered for him. He is right up there as one of the greatest wingers the game has ever seen. He knew how to finish, either acrobatically or been at the right place at the right time. He didn’t have the fairytale ending, but he was still scoring tries for fun. Onya BMoz!
Former roarer
Guest
A champion who deserved a better ending. 181 tries. Whaddaguy. It is genuinely amazing to think that the Morris family (Brett, Josh and Steve) crossed the try line over 450 times.
Monorchid
Roar Rookie
Sensible decision for a great player and a good bloke. Irvine got 220 tries eh? Strewth, what an achievement. I'm in my 70s and I only saw Irvine a few times. He was magnificent down the sideline. So Morris is in great company and deservedly so. What a great career.
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
You know you are a great player and a good citizen when fans of other teams love to watch you have a run, and never have a bad word to say about you.
egbert
Guest
A player for whom the praise and tributes are richly deserved. It's sad he didn't get to break Beaver and Slater's try-scoring record, but I can't remember a player who attracted such warmth from the game's wider community in terms of how he carried himself on and off the field. And that's without getting into how good he was as a player. Two premierships and one world cup (I think - and no origin series wins) don't give an indication of his all-round excellence, and I hope he stays involved with the game in some public way, as he is one footy player who should be looked up to and listened to.
Nat
Roar Guru
He's right, most players don't get to choose their end but B-Moz, you could not have gone out on higher standings. There isn't a better winger in the game for over skill and footy intelligence. All the best for the future and I can imagine there would be no shortage of suitors to have him represent them.
JGK
Roar Guru
Shame he couldn't finish the season but such a wonderful player. He'll always hold a special place in my heart as part of the 2010 team!
Paul
Roar Guru
I wonder what Josh will do?
Phil
Roar Rookie
One of the best wingers I've seen without a doubt and a Saints boy at that. It's been a privilege to have seen this bloke play Rugby League. Well done Brett.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
He was such a joy to watch play. Always sad when they go a little earlier than when they wanted, but then, that's life.
mushi
Roar Guru
Mourn not the loss of greatness; rather celebrate that you were able to bear witness That he finished a rooster is irrelevant to me. I enjoyed and respected him as a club and state opposition player for years. Hope he's genuinely revelling in the review of an amazing career.
Dutski
Roar Guru
Champion player and champion bloke. Whichever club or whatever level he played he excelled and did it with a smile. Hope he’s happy in retirement and glad I got to see him do his stuff on the field.
Pickett
Roar Rookie
One of the best. On and off the field.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
B-Moz, an absolute legend. One of the all-time greats, enjoy retirement Brett, you have earned it.