Manly prop Nathan Brown has announced his intention to retire from the NRL after this season, as he plans to transition to the Super League.
Brown, whose contract runs until the end of 2026, confirmed this will be his last year with the Sea Eagles, coinciding with a significant shift in the team's forward lineup.
His final month at Manly gains added significance as he has been called to start for the first time in two years against the Dolphins, a decision influenced by the current shortage in the forward pack.
At 33, Brown is still aiming to leave the NRL on a high note by making it to the finals, though Manly will need to win their final four matches to secure a top-eight position.
"I just knew it was my time to call it quits in the NRL … I made my debut in 2013, so it's my 14th year. When your time's up, your time is up," Brown shared with AAP.
"The last thing I wanted to do was sit on the fence with whether I want to stay or go overseas.
"It's just made everything a lot easier to go all in this year and enjoy every moment, every training session and every game."
Regarded as one of the league's fiercest forwards upon his debut with Wests Tigers in 2013, Brown continued to impress during his two years with South Sydney.
He found his stride at Parramatta, representing NSW in two State of Origins in 2020 and playing in the 2022 grand final before reviving his career with a train-and-trial agreement at Manly in 2024.