Tyrone Peachey in sad announcement as NRL fans praise Penrith Panthers veteran's career

Panthers and former NSW Blues utility Tyrone Peachey has confirmed that he will retire from the NRL at the end of the season as it is the right thing to do for his family. The 32-year-old has spent the majority of the 2024 season in reserve grade, having made just two appearances on the bench.

And Peachey believes it is the right time to hang up the boots, marking the end of his 12-season career. The utility has played 209 NRL games, made three NSW Blues appearances and scored 60 career tries. Peachey, who narrowly missed selection for Penrith's 2023 grand final squad, announced the news on Monday on his podcast.

"I just want to announce that I'm retiring from the NRL," an emotional Peachey said on the Peached Podcast. "I've been battling through some things... I was struggling for a bit and I've noticed myself being not fully committed to footy."

This decision comes somewhat as a surprise, considering he made 15 first-grade appearances last season and had been linked to a move tio South Sydney in the last 12 months. But Peachey has only played two NRL games this year and said it was the right time to pull the pin on his NRL career.

"I was pretty sad and rattled to admit it (to his wife)," he said. "I've known for a while and it's been hard at training, and harder to turn up every day, it's been difficult. But I finally admitted it and I felt better.

"I suppose (I'm) trying to set myself up and really diving into work post-football. I've finally admitted to myself that (it's time). I've had (the family) follow me around for the last 13 years and it's been a journey - it's full on, but I just want to settle down for the kids. They're at the age where they kind of need to get a group of friends and have best friends for the rest of their lives.

"I want to have one spot where we can settle down for them and just them give all the attention. I've been grinding a lot this year outside of footy. I cop it a lot at training - because I'm always doing something or talking to someone."

Last year, Peachey founded his own businesses called Nanima Care - which is an Indigenous transport company. Already with six buses and six employees, the 32-year-old is focussing on giving back to the community and will likely invest more time into the cause close to his heart at the end of his NRL career. Peachey also has been working at the RLPA (Rugby League Players Association) in player relations and has grown his podcast platform.

Tyrone Peachey calls time on NRL career

The nephew of former Panthers legend David Peachey, Tyrone, began his career with the Cronulla Sharks, where he debuted in Round 10 in 2012 against the Canberra Raiders. He made seven appearances for the club before moving to the Panthers in 2014 where he made a name for himself as a centre and back rower.

In his final year at Penrith, he was named for the Blues in all three Origin games in 2018, helping the Blues win the Shield. He then moved to the Titans in 2019 before leaving to join the Tigers in 2022. A year later he landed back at Penrith and narrowly missed a spot in their grand final winning side.

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In his NRL career, Peachey also made seven appearances for the Indigenous All Stars, played three games for NSW City, and one for the Prime Minister's XIII in 2018. He currently has 60 NRL career tries and six conversions.

The Penrith utility will play out his contract, which expires at the end of the season. After announcing his retirement social media was filled with tributes for 'The Peach' and his 'fantastic career'.