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Eleven players have announced their retirement from the 2026 NRL season, with several stepping away following medical conditions. South Sydney Rabbitohs forward Dale Arrow is among the retirees after battling motor neurone disease. Arrow will continue his advocacy following his NSW State of Origin appearances and contributions to making MND a notifiable condition in NSW.
With the 2026 NRL season one game away from coming to a close, a wave of players have also called time on their respective careers. 11 players, dating back to December 2025, have hung up the boots due to a variety of reasons — with many forced to call it quits after medical issues.
WHAT'S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU? Set a deposit limit. For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au. Here, foxsports.com.au breaks down the full list of NRL retirees from the 2026 season and their post-football careers!
Get the expert take on NRL Grand Final Day with FOX LEAGUE’s extensive coverage, plus full and mini replays available post-game on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? The Rabbitohs forward’s brave battle with MND has played out publicly after he announced his retirement earlier in the season. His resilience across the year has been on display for all to see and it’s been truly heartwarming to see the level of the support from across the globe.
Arrow debuted for Brisbane back in 2016 and has run out for three NRL clubs, a list that also includes the Titans and Rabbitohs. He also represented Queensland on 12 occasions and in order to reach 100 games for Souths, Arrow will be named in the Rabbitohs’ starting side in Round 26 and Round 27 and lead his teammates on the field before being subbed off straight after kick off.
The NRL are allowing the Bunnies to carry one extra player on the bench and giving the club an extra interchange as well. Arrow is set to continue his advocacy and he already played a role in the NSW Government’s policy change which saw MND become a notifiable condition from September 1 onwards. That policy shift was an Australian first, meaning medical practitioners now have to report cases of the disease in a bid to collect more information surrounding it.
In an emotional speech at a gala event at The Star in Sydney, read by hosts Jake Duke and Danika Mason, Arrow said: “I’ll fight for my family, my mates and everyone who has stood beside me. The Broncos half has been one of the game’s best playmakers across stints with the Rabbitohs and Broncos. A two-time premiership winner and dual Blues representative, Reynolds will end his storeyed career on 323 NRL games.
He also won the Dally M Rookie of the Year award in 2012 and was named the Captain of the Year in 2023. Unfortunately, his body let him down in his final season with the halfback only playing in 14 games in 2026 before he was unable to take the field in a farewell game at Suncorp Stadium.
Reynolds has consistently been linked with a move into the Broncos’ coaching system and he is set to take up a role as a mentor to the club’s young halves. He also runs a clothing brand called AYER and appears on Fox League’s NRL coverage as an expert analyst. After Canberra weren’t prepared to offer him a deal for next year, ‘Big Papa’ decided to end his career a one-club man.
One of the club’s finest ever players and a top-tier prop of the modern era, Papalii has run out a Raider on 340 occasions, with his final game to come against the Cowboys in Townsville in Round 27. In addition to his glittering NRL career, Papalii boasts an incredible rep CV. He pulled on the Maroon jumper 24 times while also representing Australia and Samoa as well.
Post-footy, Papalii is set to launch his own NDIS-focused business and has been nominated for the Ken Stephens Medal multiple times for his work within the Canberra community. The Fijian international wasn’t able to return to the field after a medical episode earlier in the year. Initially part of the Eels’ set up, Kamikamica left rugby league to chase a career in union but returned a year later, debuting with the Storm in 2017.
After 142 games for the Storm and 22 Tests for Fiji, the prop forward has been forced into a medical retirement. He was celebrated by the Storm with a guard of honour before the club’s clash against Penrith in Round 25 in touching scenes. The Bulldogs flyer had a chequered season this year with injury playing a major part. In turn, Montoya decided to end his ten-year career after 162 games for the Dogs and Warriors.
He also represented Fiji nine times. Since hanging up the boots, Montoya has moved into a role in the club’s wellbeing space, while also assisting the Bulldogs’ pathways systems. He also has a successful podcast, co-hosting alongside his partner Tayla Montoya with both making moves in the media space. Jensen’s playing career has been tragically cut short after being diagnosed with blood clots in the lungs.
The underrated middle forward last played against the Tigers back in Round 7 and after feeling unwell shortly after, it was found Jensen was suffering from pulmonary embolisms in both lungs. After several tests and much treatment, doctors told Jensen it was no longer safe to play contact sport. The Townsville product started his career at the Cowboys, playing 58 games for the club before joining the Broncos in 2022.
In a somewhat surprising decision, the Dolphins enforcer called time on his career at just 29 due to persistent injuries that have plagued Stone. After 31 games for the Eels from 2018 to 2022, Stone carved out an important role for the expansion Dolphins. He was just the player Wayne Bennett was looking for the NRL’s 17th club entry into the competition – a gritty, no-nonsense type who didn’t take a backwards step.
, Stone has been linked with an attempt at launching a boxing career, while he could also move into a trade post-football.
“It is probably based on family time for me,” Stone said when quizzed on why he was hanging up the boots. MARION SEVE Seve called time on his career in September, ending his playing days as a popular figure within the Storm squad. He made his NRL debut in 2019, going on to play 52 games across eight seasons alongside three appearances for his country Samoa.
Seve’s career has been one of resilience, suffering a nasty eye injury which required him to wore protective goggles when taking the field. He also endured a ruptured ACL alongside several other injuries, explaining he was “proud” to end his career at the Storm.
“There have been plenty of challenges along the way, but I’ve been lucky enough to have some great people around me who have helped me through the tough times and made the good times even more special,” he said. “I’m grateful to everyone at Storm who has supported me throughout my time here and given me the opportunity to represent this club. ”Ryan Matterson retired from rugby league in August, calling time after a drawn-out battle with concussion symptoms.
Matterson’s last rugby league appearance came in September 2025, featuring for the Warrington Wolves in the Super League while on loan from the Eels. The 31-year-old’s career came to an end after 181 NRL games and a single appearance for NSW during the 2022 Origin series. He began his career at the Roosters, winning a premiership in 2018 before making a move to the Tigers for a singular season and even the Eels.
As for his plans post-football, he wrote in a statement on Instagram: “I have every intention of using all that professional sport has taught me to help other people chase their dreams and become the best version of themselves. ” He also runs Meraki Disability Support alongside his brother, which aims to have a “positive and long-lasting impact on the lives of people living with disabilities and their families” according to their website”.
Daniel Saifiti called it quits in May, medically retiring due to an ongoing shoulder injury to put his life after football first and prioritise his family. The 30-year-old will hung up the boots after 19 tries in 183 games for the Knights and Dolphins from 2016 to 2026, including seven Origins for NSW and three Tests for Fiji.
However, a shoulder injury eight games into his three-year deal with the Dolphins in 2025 never recovered, to the point he couldn’t return to the field and he made the call to walk away for his family and the club. Saifiti admitted the final call on his career was both hard and easy after putting his long-term health and his family ahead of his football ambitions.
“If I don’t have kids maybe it’s different, but when you’re struggling to pick the kids up when you come back from training it makes the decision pretty easy. ”Technically Lachlan Croker should be included in last year’s retirement class, but he was medically retired in December 2025. The talented hooker only managed four games last season and his last appearance came in Round 15 in 2025, having battled with multiple concussions which ultimately ended his career.
“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. ” He played 126 NRL games and made the immediate switch into the club’s coaching ranks, taking over Manly’s SG Ball team.
NRL Retirements Dale Arrow South Sydney Rabbitohs Motor Neurone Disease Player Careers
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