Ray Stone will leave the Dolphins after the 2026 season, ending his NRL career at 29 despite coach Kristian Woolf wanting him to continue into 2027.
Family commitments ultimately shaped the forward's decision.
"It is probably based on family time for me," Stone said.
"The kids are getting a bit older and I am quite busy on weekends so I want to be a part of that."
Stone played through a broken hand for the final six rounds of last season and used injections in both shoulders for 15 rounds.
He later underwent shoulder surgery after helping the Dolphins through a period when several forwards were injured.
"There are a lot of tough men who play the game but he is in the top group," Woolf told AAP.
"It is not just his toughness, it's his commitment to the team that I really admire."
Stone joined the Dolphins after five seasons and 31 matches with Parramatta, later reaching 81 appearances for his current club across four years.
"The reason I came up here was for opportunity," he said.
This season, improved health across the squad helped him manage his workload as the Dolphins won 16 of their last 18 matches before facing the Sydney Roosters in the preliminary final.
Stone has scored eight Dolphins tries but refuses to celebrate during matches.
He has also been linked with boxing, although AAP understands he holds multiple tickets in trade areas and will enter a ring only if he chooses.
"He is loved, respected and will be missed next year," Woolf said.