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Roosters prop O’Donnell retires from NRL

Sydney Roosters premiership winner Luke O’Donnell has called time on his rugby league career after more than 14 years.

The 33-year-old prop announced his retirement on Thursday, barely two months after featuring in the Roosters’ NRL grand final victory over Manly.

“I’ve had some time to reflect and think about my future since the grand final and this definitely hasn’t been an easy decision, but it’s the right one,” O’Donnell said in a statement.

“I’m so grateful for everything rugby league has given me. Each of the clubs I’ve played at have made me a better man and I’ve made so many friends along the way.”

O’Donnell played a total of 188 NRL games since his first-grade debut in 1999, with stints at the Balmain Tigers, Wests Tigers, North Queensland and the Roosters.

He also spent two years playing for the Huddersfield Giants in the English Super League before linking with the Roosters at the start of 2013.

The former Australian and NSW backrower said he had enjoyed a great career but was looking forward to spending more time with his family, especially wife Tania and their two daughters.

“I count myself incredibly lucky to have represented my state and my country and it was a dream come true to return to the NRL with a proud club like the Roosters, and to cap the year off with a premiership,” he said.

“I’d like to thank everyone at the club … for making me and my family feel so at home, and for one of the most memorable years in my footy career.”

Roosters coach Trent Robinson praised O’Donnell for the “overwhelming impact” he had both on and off the field in mentoring his younger charges.

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