Canberra Raiders prop Brett White has announced today he will retire at the end of the 2014 season, after playing over 190 NRL matches for the Canberra Raiders and Melbourne Storm.
White made his NRL debut in 2005 for the Storm and played in three Grand Finals for Melbourne (2006-2008), before joining the Raiders in 2011.
White said the timing of today’s announcement felt right for him and said he had no regrets on a career that’s been full of highlights.
“It’s a decision I’ve thought about for a long time and one that I probably made a while ago, but it’s taken me a while to come out and say it,” White said. “I told the boys at training this morning which was pretty tough, but I feel lucky as I’ve been able to do just about everything in the game. I’ve had ten years of first grade and have loved every minute of it.
White passed on some advice to the younger players when he told them of his decision and said for him it was now about enjoying the final few weeks as an NRL player.
“One thing I told the younger guys is that your career goes very quickly and you need to make the most of it while you can, and I’m lucky enough to sit back and truly believe I’ve made the most of my career and have been able to do some wonderful things,” he said. “I’ve got five weeks left until the end of the season to enjoy it with some great blokes in the players and the staff and hopefully finish off with a few wins.”
When asked what he would take out of his time with the Raiders he said it would be the friendships he forged during his time in Canberra and said he believed the club was heading in the right direction.
“Definitely the mateship. Some of the guys here are terrific people. I’ve really enjoyed my time playing for the Raiders,” he said. “There have been some ups and downs but I’m truly confident in seeing the club going from strength to strength over the next couple of years under Ricky.”
In a career which had many highlights White said his four grand final appearances ranked among his career highlights, as well as playing representative football.
“The Grand Finals are a stand out for me and even though there is some controversy around them I know in my heart that the 2007 Grand Final is something I’m proud of, as is to play for Australia, NSW and Country Origin.”
White said life after football held plenty of promise for him and said he’s love to remain involved with the club if the opportunity presented itself.
“I’ve just opened up a business here with Pita Pit in Braddon and I’ll be down there rolling a few Pitas but I also hope to stay involved with the club,” he said. “I’ve really enjoyed my time here and I really want to stay involved in it and be a part of the successes that are to come.”
White also thanked those people who have helped him along the way in his time in the game and said they knew who they were and what they had contributed to his career.
“You go through plenty of ups and downs in footy and for the true people who have stuck by you during these times there the ones you really want to thank. It’s not easy sometimes but having the support of family, friends and the rugby league community means a lot.”
Brett White
NRL Matches: 192* matches (127 for Melbourne Storm from 2005-2010, 65* for Canberra Raiders from 2001-2014)
International Matches: 6 matches (3 for Australia in 2009, 3 for Ireland in 2013)
NSW State of Origin: 8 matches from 2007-2010
NSW Country Origin: 5 matches from 2006-2010
*Still active until the end of the 2014 season
