Sea Eagles hooker Lachlan Croker has been medically retired following a series of concussions, but he won’t be lost to the game after agreeing to take over as head coach of the club’s SG Ball team.
Croker, who turns 29 later this month, has had his injury concerns throughout his career and was limited to just four NRL appearances last season.
The call for him to medically retire with a year remaining on his contract comes on the back of several concussions over the past two seasons, with the latest one coming during a training session in June.
He played one game for Canberra in 2016 before he made the move to Manly where he spent eight seasons and claimed the club’s best and fairest award back in 2022.
“My body is in good shape, but my head is telling me it’s time,” he said.
“I’ve had one too many head knocks, and the last one was the last straw. As hard as I tried to get back playing, I just couldn’t as the symptoms persisted.
“Medical advice and the advice from people closest to me helped me arrive at this decision.
“I know it’s the right thing to do for my long-term health.”
The news comes less than two months after teammate Josh Aloiai was also forced into early retirement due to a chronic shoulder injury.
Croker’s decision frees up salary cap space for the club and comes just days after fellow hooker Jake Simpkin inked a two-year extension to remain on the northern beaches.
While he won’t play for the club again, Croker will remain at the Sea Eagles and work with the next crop of stars coming through the ranks.
Lachlan Croker will move into a coaching role after he was forced into retirement. Picture: NRL
Tom Trbojevic celebrates scoring a try with Lachlan Croker. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)
His work ethic and passion for the club will make him a terrific leader, with Sea Eagles NRL coach Anthony Seibold excited to see what he can bring to the role.
“This is a great opportunity to keep a recent player and someone with Manly DNA in our pathways program,” Seibold said.
“Lachie is a hard worker, is well-educated, and I think he’ll make a fantastic transition from player to coach.
“It was only a few years back he was awarded Manly’s best and fairest. The qualities that made him such a great player will serve him well in his next career path as a coach.
“I look forward to seeing Lachie’s development as a coach over the next few years.”