Ryan calls time

Canterbury skipper Andrew Ryan has announced his retirement from the sport at the age of 32.

The veteran second-rower has revealed he turned down an opportunity to play in Super League and will instead take up a role with the NRL.

During his 12-year career, Ryan won 11 caps for Australia and made 12 appearances for New South Wales.

After starting with Parramatta in 2000, he went on to make 213 appearances for the Bulldogs and was a member of the 2004 premiership-winning squad.

“I have had a great career,” Ryan says.

“After much thought and discussion with those closest to me, I have decided it is time to call it a day as a player and move onto an exciting new chapter.

“Finishing my career here at the Bulldogs was always of utmost importance to me. While there were options to play a few more years in England, opportunities here outweighed the temptation to go around again.

“I’m very excited to announce this is not the end of my time in Rugby League. I have been offered a full time role working within the NRL’s education and welfare portfolio, which gives me the opportunity to give back to something that has given me so much.

“I am looking forward to finishing off my time as a Bulldogs player in the best possible fashion whilst at the same time looking forward to what lay ahead once my playing career is finished.”