Dragons 2019: Serial joker Latimore all smiles after calling fulltime on career
Dragons Den
DRAGONS prop Jeremy Latimore is preparing to face a former team this week but. When you've played at five clubs, that happens about once a month.
One of the game's genuine characters, in an era where there aren't many left, Latimore won't add to it having confirmed he'll call time on his career at season's end.
It'll draw the curtain on his second stint at the Dragons after beginning his career at Parramatta in 2009, before time with the Warriors, Panthers and Sharks.
Injury permitting, he will finish with a handy 183 games on his resume, a stellar career built on one-year deals and an invaluable off-field role as a joker.
The latter may see the likes of James Graham, Ben Hunt and Paul Vaughan breathe a sigh of relief having worn the brunt of his jibes that are unashamedly based on pay packets.
"I've always got to keep Paul Vaughan on his toes," Latimore says, tongue in cheek as most things are with the 32-year-old.
"The more cash the more levels they need to be knocked down, or if the young guys if they come in too confident I've got to fly into them.
"I always try to have a laugh and take the piss, probably sometimes a bit too much when we're out on the field trying to be serious.
"I've played with a lot of different playing groups and there's not too many people I've played with who I haven't got along with."
Having set up his own business, he's long been set up for life after footy as a mortgage broker.
It will certainly hold more job security than the perennial one year deals, but Latimore says knowing it could end at any time has helped him appreciate every moment down the stretch of his career.
"Nothing's ever guaranteed for me, I've been on year to year contracts and I've treated every year like it could be my last," he said.
"Being a professional footballer's a great job and I've never taken it for granted. That's the mindset I've had the last few years, I just love coming to training and being around the boys.
"That's what makes [retirement] hard, I could do this forever but the body wouldn't let me. I've had a few niggling injuries this year which have been a factor in the decision.
"It was just the right time. I sat on it for a couple of weeks and see if I still felt the same and then I came in and told Mary [Paul McGregor] on Monday.
"The response has been great from the boys, friends and family and the fans out there. There's six games to go and since I've announced it I can really enjoy that."
Running a business will consume plenty of his time, but he's still eyeing another one-year deal in the Illawarra Rugby League, looking to link with former Eels teammate and Wests Devils stalwart Jimmy Grehan.
"He plays at Wests so it could be there but there's a bit of recruiting going on, all the boys have links to local clubs down here," Latimore said.
"We played together a long time ago at Parramatta together and he's one of my best mates.
"If I had of gone again [in the NRL] I don't know if the old boy would've been able to play again next year.
"He's aging very quickly. I'll have to get him in shape, he'll probably sell me as a package deal so he can get a spot. He'll probably take my money to."
https://www.illawarramercury.com.au...les-after-calling-fulltime-on-career/?cs=3713
