7th Tackle: Heighington to head retiring parade

With Cooper Cronk unlikely to announce his intentions for 2018 before the World Cup, this year’s list of retirees is looking very skinny indeed.

In complete contrast to the AFL, which farewells all-time greats including Nick Riewoldt, Bob Murphy, Luke Hodge, Sam Mitchell and Jobe Watson, the NRL will barely be able to muster a parade of retirees on Grand Final Day.

MORE 7TH TACKLE
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*Heighington to head retiring parade
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*No Cleary, Vunivalu or Ross repeats under new rule

316-game warhorse Chris Heighington is likely to be the highest profile player to hang up the boots.

We can reveal the Sharks have decided against offering the 35-year-old another contract extension, having already done so for fellow veterans Paul Gallen and Luke Lewis.

Matt Ballin (knee) and Isaac de Gois (concussion) were both forced to quit the game mid-season due to injury.

But apart from Eels half Jeff Robson, virtually no other player is walking away voluntarily.

Anthony Tupou, Dave Taylor (Toronto), Jeff Lima, and Bryson Goodwin (Leigh) are unlikely to get another season in the NRL, but could still figure elsewhere.

The future of Rabbitohs pair Jason Clark and Dave Tyrell is unclear, with both given permission to look elsewhere.

Nate Myles had also been considering a move to Catalans Dragons but is now likely to remain in Melbourne for family reasons.