Sea Eagles hooker Lachlan Croker has been medically retired following a series of concussions, but he won\u2019t be lost to the game after agreeing to take over as head coach of the club\u2019s SG Ball team.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
He played one game for Canberra in 2016 before he made the move to Manly where he spent eight seasons and claimed the club\u2019s best and fairest award back in 2022. <\/p>\n
\u201cMy body is in good shape, but my head is telling me it\u2019s time,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve 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\u2019t as the symptoms persisted.<\/p>\n
\u201cMedical advice and the advice from people closest to me helped me arrive at this decision. <\/p>\n
\u201cI know it\u2019s the right thing to do for my long-term health.\u201d<\/p>\n
The news comes less than two months after teammate Josh Aloiai was also forced into early retirement due to a chronic shoulder injury.<\/p>\n
Croker\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
While he won\u2019t play for the club again, Croker will remain at the Sea Eagles and work with the next crop of stars coming through the ranks.<\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a great opportunity to keep a recent player and someone with Manly DNA in our pathways program,\u201d Seibold said.<\/p>\n
\u201cLachie is a hard worker, is well-educated, and I think he\u2019ll make a fantastic transition from player to coach.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was only a few years back he was awarded Manly\u2019s best and fairest. The qualities that made him such a great player will serve him well in his next career path as a coach.<\/p>\n
\u201cI look forward to seeing Lachie\u2019s development as a coach over the next few years.\u201d<\/p>\n