Sporting stars who've retired in 2014

NRL veteran John Morris announced his retirement due to a neck injury after playing 300 matches.

The legendary fullback announced he would draw the curtain on his illustrious 15-year NRL career at the end of the 2014 season.

South Sydney's all-time leading tryscorer Nathan Merritt announces his retirement after 13 seasons in the NRL.

Brent Tate will be remebered as one of the nicest blokes in league as well as one of the most courageous. His career could have ended several times with major injuries but he kept coming back and was an integrral part in Queensland's eight straight series wins in Origin. He also played 229 first grade games with Brisbane, the Warriors and the Cowboys and won the 2006 premiership with the Broncos.

Luke Bailey was a no-nonsense, hard-running prop who began his career first grade at St George Illawarra in 2000, after coming through the junior ranks. He played 119 games there before moving to Gold Coast Titans where he played another 147 games. He played 15 Origin matches for NSW and played for the Kangaroos four times.

VeteraManly prop Jason King will retire at the end of the Sea Eagles' tilt for this season's NRL premiership.

The Wests Tigers star is sidelined with a biceps injury, unlikely to return this season, and will enter a full-time career in the media.

Gold Coast veteran Ashley Harrison was forced to retire from the NRL following a serious neck injury. Harrison, who debuted in 2000, ends his career after 276 games including stints with Brisbane, South Sydney, Sydney Roosters and the Titans. Harrison also made 15 appearances for Queensland in State of Origin.

Canberra stalwart Brett White will hang up the boots after the 2014 season after 192 NRL games, three Tests for Australia and eight Origins for NSW.

NRL winger Beau Ryan announced his retirement from rugby league due to a serious neck injury earlier this season. He played 125 NRL games - 104 for the Tigers and 21 for Cronulla - and scored 53 tries.

Wests Tigers forward Liam Fulton was forced to retire from NRL due to ongoing concussion concern.

Veteran halfback Michael Witt announced his retirement after playing just four first grade games in 2014.

West Coast Eagles Captain Darren Glass retired this year after a 270-game career with the Eagles. Glass has battled hip and ankle injuries in 2014 and declared that he could no longer produce the high-quality defensive standard he is renowned for.

Cox, a veteran of 286 games, has informed his West Coast teammates of his decision to retire at the end of the season.

Jonathan Brown retired from AFL after 256 games for Brisbane Lions. He called time on his illustrious career on medical advice.

Sydney champion Ryan O'Keefe officially announces his retirement after 286 AFL games and two premierships.

Sydney Swans veteran Lewis Roberts-Thomson has announced he will retire at the end of the 2014 AFL season.

Sporting stars who've retired in 2014

Hayes announced his retirement recently and leaves the game with an impressive list of achievements, including three St Kilda best-and-fairest and All Australian awards, as well as a Norm Smith Medal from the 2010 drawn Grand Final. He placed third in the 2009 Brownlow Medal, won by Geelong’s Gary Ablett.

A debilitating knee reconstruction means Fremantle utility Kepler Bradley will retire at the end of the AFL season.

Richmond midfielder Daniel Jackson announced his immediate retirement despite being recalled for the finals.

Western Bulldog Tom Williams was forced to retire due to injury after managing 85 games in 10 seasons.

Gold Coast's Nathan Bock saaid he's never fully recovered from a broken leg suffered in 2012.

Melbourne's Mitch Clark retired from the AFL as he fights an ongoing battle with depression. lark debuted for the Lions in 2006 and played 82 games for them before heading to the Demons. He ends his career with 97 games and 97 goals to his name.

A foot injury finally put an end to the Richmond Tiger's tumultuous 109-game career.

A foot injury prompted Melbourne goalsneak Shannon Byrnes to retire from the AFL.

Collingwood premiership captain Nick Maxwell bowed to injury, announcing his retirement after 208 AFL games.

Former Port Adelaide captain Dom Cassisi made the surprise announcement that his decorated career would end with a farewell match at Adelaide Oval.

Cox retired at the end of the 2014 ANZ Championships as one of only four women in history with over 100 Test caps for Australia.

Two-time Olympic gold medallist Jess Schipper has formally retired from competitive swimming.

Olympic gold medallist Stephanie Rice announced her retirement from swimming this year. The 25-year-old won three gold medals with three world record times at the 2008 Beijing Games, but a series of shoulder operations prevented her from reaching the same heights in London in 2012.

Former freestyle world record holder Eamon Sullivan announced his immediate retirement from competitive swimming due to ongoing shoulder injury concerns. Once holder of the 50m and 100m freestyle world records, West Australian Sullivan - who won two Olympic silver medals in Beijing - had been plagued by shoulder issues in recent times.

England captain Steven Gerrard has announced his retirement from international football after 114 matches.

Perth Scorchers captain Simon Katich announced his retirement from Twenty20 cricket this year, drawing the final curtain on a distinguished playing career .. The 38-year-old left handed opening batsman retired from Australian first class cricket in 2012 after an international career that spanned 56 Tests, 45 ODIs and three T20Is.

The Proteas captain shocked everyone when he announced his retirement during the Australian summer.

Star Sri Lankan batsman Mahela Jayawardene will retire from Test cricket after the series against Pakistan in August.

England off-spinner Graeme Swann announced his shock retirement in the middle of last summer's Ashes series.

Jonny Wilkinson brought the curtain down on a stunning career by helping Toulon to their first Top 14 success in 22 years.