York Knights back-rower Josh Griffin has admitted that this season could turn out to be his last as a rugby league player.
Griffin’s mind isn’t completely made up, but as he sets out for what will be his 19th season as a professional, he is comfortable with the idea that the 2026 campaign could mark the end of his career.
The 25-year-old started as a teenager with Wakefield Trinity back in 2008 and since then he has taken in spells with Huddersfield Giants, Castleford Tigers, Batley Bulldogs, Salford Red Devils, Hull FC and York, with three stints coming at Belle Vue.
His most successful period came as a Hull player, where Griffin won the Challenge Cup and scored 45 tries in 144 appearances. So far, he has made 323 appearances as a rugby league player, with last Thursday’s win over treble winners being his most recent and arguably one of his most memorable, too, with the Knights defying the odds to produce one of the biggest shocks in Super League history.
How the year will pan out for York is anyone’s guess at this stage but Griffin, with retirement in the back of his mind, is just determined to savour every minute of it.
“This will probably be my last year and that is what it is, so I’ll give it my all and enjoy the ride,” he told Serious About Rugby League.
“Definitely from a full time environment it will be. We’ll see how I feel but at the moment I’m leaning towards it, so I’m just trying to enjoy it for what it is.
“I’ve been in a privileged position to be able to live my childhood dream for as long as I have and for it to come to an end, I just want to enjoy it and take what comes. It’s been an honour to do it and to be able to be with York in their maiden year in Super League, it’s a nice way to go out.
“I’ve got a coffee shop and I’m studying for my Master’s in strength and conditioning, so that’s the role I’m going to step into next year. I’ve got a lot going on and the dreaded ‘R’ word comes around for every player, but I’m not 100 per cent. I’ll see how I feel throughout the year.
“Mash [Mark Applegarth] has been quite good with me, he’s said if I want to knock on his door we can chat about it, but it depends how I feel. I’m feeling good at the moment, I’m enjoying it, but we’ll see because it’s a tough old thing playing Super League week in, week out, and I’ve been doing it for the best part of 18 years now.”
Whether Griffin opts to hang up his boots or not at the end of the season, he plans to stick around in the game, with a coaching role already lined up.
“I’ve got a role here at York, I’ll step into a role here,” he added. “That’s the next chapter away from the game in terms of playing, just to be involved in the environment.”
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