Ash Graham

A player always likes to go out on their own terms but sometimes, that is not possible and for North Queensland Cowboys winger Ash Graham, surgery on a troublesome wrist injury means that his career ends prematurely.

Making a decision earlier in the year to retire, the wrist injury sees the 202-game NRL veteran out of the game, with the winger playing for the Cowboys and the Parramatta Eels.

Winning the Paul Bowman Medal in 2011 and playing in 161 games for the Cowboys, he was the equal top try-scorer in the NRL last year and has finished his career with a total of 102 tries.

It was back in a pre-season game that Graham suffered the injury and with the ligament damage to the wrist getting worse over time, Graham had no choice but to opt for reconstructive surgery on it.

With recovery time for this sort of surgery six months, there was no chance of a return and to compound matters, Graham was also suffering from chronic ankle arthritis that required constant treatment and a modified training program.

For Graham, whilst retiring online blackjack poker due to injury is unfortunate, the veteran is pleased with what he has achieved in his career.

“It’s a shame to end up the season early but unfortunately it can’t be avoided,” Graham said.

“I’m finishing up my career content with what I’ve achieved.

“I think I’ve got as much out of my body as I can.”

Peter Parr, the Cowboys General Manager of Football Operations, said it was Graham’s professionalism that made him a much loved player in the eyes of fans, team-mates and officials.

“Ash has a long list of achievements, including finishing his sports science degree this year, and deserves plenty of credit for them. He’s had an outstanding career,” Parr said.

“As a player, what we’ll remember most about him was how he always did everything possible to get the best performance he could out of himself and his ability to get the ball over the line when a try didn’t seem possible.

“He’s provided some of our club’s most memorable moments over the last seven seasons.”

The news follows the retirements of both Dallas Johnson and Clint Greenshields.

By ricky

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