NRL fans are paying tribute and sending congratulations after a 92-game forward announced his retirement on Saturday to try his hand at a different sport. The 28-year-old Brodie Jones announced his retirement on Sydney Sports Radio after playing in the Newcastle Knights‘ loss to Newtown in the NSW Cup preliminary final.
The hard-working forward played 92 NRL games for the Knights after debuting for the club in 2020. In 2026 he was limited to just four games at first-grade level, spending the majority of the year in reserve-grade or battling injuries.
Brodie Jones has retired from NRL to try his hand at golf. Image: Getty
The Newcastle Herald reported earlier this year that Jones is keen to have a crack at becoming a professional golfer. “There is a potential pathway there in golf that’s been spoken about,” he said in May.
“The body is a bit banged up but I want to give the Knights everything I’ve got for the rest of the season first and then see what happens footy-wise before I worry about anything else.”
Brodie Jones played 92 NRL games for Newcastle. (Photo by Scott Gardiner/Getty Images)
Journalist Steven Russo reported on Saturday that Jones has committed to giving golf a go. The 28-year-old has bounced back from a foot injury that saw him undergo surgery in March.
“The bone in my left foot that they took out was in pieces, so it now feels a lot better than it did,” he said. “Being out has been frustrating mentally so it’s been a real challenge but it’s great to be back.”
NRL world pays tribute to Brodie Jones
One fan wrote on social media on Saturday: “Best of luck to Brodie Jones with his future. Once a Knight always a Knight! A consummate professional from his first day at the club right until the end of his playing career!”
Another commented: “Good on you Brodie! A great guy on and off the field.” While a third added: “Loved watching you play Brodie, best of luck for your future.”
His announcement came just 24 hours before the Knights take on the Warriors in their NRL semi-final in Auckland. Jones will be a keen observer hoping his teammates can reach the preliminary final.
