St George Illawarra Dragons winger Wendell Sailor has announced this morning that he is retiring from rugby league.
The 35-year-old dual international was flanked by his coach Wayne Bennett as he made the announcement at St George Leagues Club today.
He said he had been discussing plans to retire with his wife Tara and children Matissa, 6, and Tristan, 11, and Dragons management for the past few weeks.
AUDIO SLIDESHOW: Listen to Sailor announce his retirement Say farewell to Dell: CLICK HERE and post a message POLL: Should Sailor have played for one more year? "It's a very tough day for me," he said.
"We have come to the decision that it's time for me hang up the boots," he said, despite admitting his children wanted him to play on.
Sailor, who played 222 first grade matches, will continue his association with the Dragons, working as an ambassador for the joint venture club. He will also take on more media responsibilities.
Sailor has just completed his second year with St George Illawarra after returning to rugby league following a successful stint in rugby union playing for the Queensland Reds, NSW Waratahs and Australian Wallabies.
His time in the 15-man code was ended by a two-year ban for cocaine use.
"I think everyone realises I went through a tough couple of years there," Sailor said this morning.
"The Dragons were great, giving me a lifeline.
"A lot of people wrote me off and, me being me, I was pretty confident that I could come back and finish on the right note and I think I have.
SLIDESHOW: Sailor's first days at the Dragons"I just love the game, I love what it has given me throughout my career.
"I have got to see the world, a skinny little dark kid from Sarina at the age of 17.
"We've got some great young talent coming through, Nightingale and Morris.
"I just didn't know if I could go another year. Personally, I'm content and I'm happy."
St George Illawarra chief executive Peter Doust said Sailor had been an asset to the club both on and off the field.
"His enthusiasm, his downright good nature and his support of our football and community activities has been second to none," he said.
"He is a remarkable person, a remarkable individual and has been great for the sport of rugby league and sport in general."
Speculation had been rife about Sailor's plans for 2010 since the Dragons bowed out in the second week of this year's NRL finals series, after the joint-venture club captured their first minor premiership.
Throughout this year he had declared his intention to play next year, but said he would consult Dragons coach Wayne Bennett and club chief executive Peter Doust.
In an interview with the Mercury earlier this year, Sailor admitted a three-day pre-season boot camp in Nowra was the "toughest thing" he had done in his career.
Sailor, who lives in Wollongong, is one of the Dragons' most popular players on and off the field.
His final match, provided he is voted onto the Indigenous team, will be against the NRL All Stars at Skilled Park on the Gold Coast on February 13.
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