Knee injury poised to end Stuart's career

[Newcastlerabbit]

• James Hooper
• From: The Sunday Telegraph
• April 10, 2011 12:00AM

Career threatened: Luke Stuart of the South Sydney Rabbitohs. Picture: Mark Evans Source: The Daily Telegraph



SOUTH Sydney warhorse Luke Stuart is expected to pull the pin on his career after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament against Wests Tigers.

Stuart informed Rabbitohs officials yesterday that he was likely to retire.
A tremendous servant since linking with the club when it won readmission to the NRL in 2002, Stuart has played 242 games - 190 of those in the red and green.
Rabbitohs chief executive Shane Richardson spent yesterday morning trying to talk the 34-year-old out of retiring.
Rookie lock Dave Tyrell paid tribute to the leadership Stuart had provided for the emerging forwards over the past four seasons.
"It's a massive loss for us, losing Luke. He's a great asset to the club. A lot of stuff he does goes unnoticed and he's a player we'll really miss," Tyrell said. "We've got boys who can fill the position.
"Sam Burgess can play front row and Ben Ross can come off the bench, but I don't think Luke Stuart's a player you can really replace."
With Stuart expected to undergo surgery in the next week, the Rabbitohs must quickly find a front-row solution to cover his absence.
Burgess, who appeared to struggle for match fitness against the Tigers, is expected to be moved into the middle of the field to cover the loss.
Michael Crocker appears the most likely addition to the starting pack.
Stuart would retire as the sixth most-capped Rabbitoh, behind Bob McCarthy (211 games ), Craig Coleman (208), Eric Simms (206), John Sattler (195) and Jack Rayner (194).


http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...d-stuarts-career/story-e6frexnr-1226036500996

 

[Ziggy the God]

Luke Stuart is an absolute champion who will be missed.

All the best Luke !!!

 

[Newcastlerabbit]

Agreed Ziggy.

 

[boo_boo]

• James Hooper
• From: The Sunday Telegraph
• April 10, 2011 12:00AM

Career threatened: Luke Stuart of the South Sydney Rabbitohs. Picture: Mark Evans Source: The Daily Telegraph



SOUTH Sydney warhorse Luke Stuart is expected to pull the pin on his career after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament against Wests Tigers.

Stuart informed Rabbitohs officials yesterday that he was likely to retire.
A tremendous servant since linking with the club when it won readmission to the NRL in 2002, Stuart has played 242 games - 190 of those in the red and green.
Rabbitohs chief executive Shane Richardson spent yesterday morning trying to talk the 34-year-old out of retiring.
Rookie lock Dave Tyrell paid tribute to the leadership Stuart had provided for the emerging forwards over the past four seasons.
"It's a massive loss for us, losing Luke. He's a great asset to the club. A lot of stuff he does goes unnoticed and he's a player we'll really miss," Tyrell said. "We've got boys who can fill the position.
"Sam Burgess can play front row and Ben Ross can come off the bench, but I don't think Luke Stuart's a player you can really replace."
With Stuart expected to undergo surgery in the next week, the Rabbitohs must quickly find a front-row solution to cover his absence.
Burgess, who appeared to struggle for match fitness against the Tigers, is expected to be moved into the middle of the field to cover the loss.
Michael Crocker appears the most likely addition to the starting pack.
Stuart would retire as the sixth most-capped Rabbitoh, behind Bob McCarthy (211 games ), Craig Coleman (208), Eric Simms (206), John Sattler (195) and Jack Rayner (194).


http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...d-stuarts-career/story-e6frexnr-1226036500996

Luke is up there with some very illustrious names from our clubs greats.
A loyal servant that deserves to be looked upon with the utmost respect for years to come.

 

[whats up doc]

Great man, great player. Proud to have had him wear the red and green. Too bad it's only those like GI that get remembered and mentioned but not hard and solid workers like Stuart.

 

[Zigwaa]

Poor bloke, deserved a much better farwell than that.

 

[Galeforce]

Disappointing news for Luke, he deserved to finish this year on his terms and a winner.
However I must say i do hope the statement that Richardson was trying to talk Luke out of retiring was just paper tripe.

 

[Whoosh]

Has Luke Stuart's retirement been confirmed by him or the club yet?

 

[Newcastlerabbit]

Has Luke Stuart's retirement been confirmed by him or the club yet?

No,not at all.

 

[The Mad Hatter]

Well...it is with much disappointment that when I spoke with Luke Stuart on Sunday at the fan day, and he was adamant that his footy days were over. I told him it was such a shame and that he is a TRUE Souths GREAT...amongst the pantheon of other Souths greats.

Of all the fan days and times I have met players, Luke Stuart has been far and away the most decent bloke to offer up a chat, autograph or photo (along with Fetuli Talanoa mind you).

He is and has been my favourite player for quite a number of years. I was really hoping he would hit 200 club games for Souths this season. Twas not to be.

He will be missed. Maybe teach young forwards a thing or two about hard work, commitment and taking it all in your stride.

 

[Aaron_sfas]

my favourite rabbitohs player

 

[one-eyed rabbitoh]

a very sad day for all souths supporters when luke stuart does retire luke was one great souths player who gave his all and i personally admire this man.





one-eyed rabbitoh.

 

[The Mad Hatter]

Never got the big bucks.

Never went to another club.

Always gave 110%.

Always gave his time freely to the fans.

Played with might in the face of insurmountable odds and disadvantage at a struggling club for many years.

I commend him. There should be a bloody club medal, if not an NRL medal, named in his honour.

 

[thehattrickrabbit]

I would of expected him to play on for another one or two seasons!. Not so much as an expectation but that's what i think would of happened.

He's played with the same work-rate since he was about 26-27, He's been ridiculously consistent all of his career, With very little injury throughout his career and at 34 playing the best football of his career, I would of backed him to play one or two more seasons for sure.

It's a big shame because I think Luke loves his league and as mentioned above he never played for the big bucks and may of got much better coin in the UK.

You know I wouldn't rule out him returning, Ben Ross suffered a much more horrific injury and he played against 2 year after initially told he was never to play again.

I think if he commits to it he will come back just as good and reliable as he is now but It's all down to whether he thinks he can go around again and thinks he still has something to offer to the club.

I believe he would of been able to hold the starting spot until retirement, he's an unbelievably fit person for his age.

Absolutely love him as a player and one city jumper did not do him justice, not by close, not by far.

 

[Newcastlerabbit]

I have no doubt he will be honored by the Club at this years awards night.