Mannering to retire at seasons end.

[Rich102]

Mannering to retire at end of season
Record-holding Vodafone Warriors stalwart Simon Mannering has today announced the 2018 NRL campaign will mark the end of his 14-season career with the club.

The 31-year-old’s decision follows his announcement five weeks ago that he had retired from international football after 45 Tests for the Kiwis from 2006-2017.

Nelson-raised Mannering said he had wrestled with his decision for several weeks.

“It has taken a while to reach this point but I’m now comfortable with the decision I’ve finally made,” he said.

“It hasn’t been easy that’s for sure. There has been a lot to think about. I’ve really enjoyed this season and that was one of the factors that was playing on my mind.

“I’m really grateful to the Vodafone Warriors for giving me the time I needed. It’s a big call when you consider retirement, even more so having played my whole career for this great club.

“It’s not over yet, though. There are still a lot of games to be played and I want to do all I can to help the team and the coaching staff in our bid to finish this season as well as we possibly can.”

Mannering was 18 when he made his Vodafone Warriors debut off the bench in the 30-18 10th anniversary clash against Brisbane at Mount Smart Stadium on June 26, 2005.

On Sunday he’ll make his 294th appearance when the club marks its Michael Moore Trophy match against Melbourne with “The Greatest Vodafone Warriors Charity Day”. It leaves him on track to become the first player to make 300 appearances for the club and only the second New Zealander to do so after former Canberra and Vodafone Warriors great Ruben Wiki.

Vodafone Warriors head coach Stephen Kearney said Mannering’s decision marked a sad day for the club.

“I’d love Simon to play on forever but sadly the time comes when players have to make the call to finish,” he said.

“I know how difficult this would have been for him. He loves playing footy and he loves this club so it’s a really significant day for him and for all of us.

“Being the type of person he is Simon doesn’t want any fuss made about it. That’s not his style but he deserves all the accolades and attention he’ll receive.”

Vodafone Warriors CEO Cameron George paid tribute to Mannering for his contribution to the club.

“It’s difficult to put into words just what Simon has done for the Vodafone Warriors on and off the field and what he means to members and fans alike,” he said.

“Above all he’s a champion player and a champion person who epitomises what a Vodafone Warrior is all about.

“It’s a tough day for all of us knowing this will be Simon’s last season, more so because of the loyalty he has shown by being one of the select group of players who have been with just one club their whole career.”

While Mannering is not a man for stats, the numbers emphasise the magnitude of his efforts across 14 seasons. He has been on the field almost 22,000 minutes – or close to 370 hours – while carrying the ball more than 27,000 metres (an average of 95 metres a game) and making more than 9300 tackles (an average of about 32 tackles a game).

 

[Cold Roses]

Hopefully he makes it to 300 games with us this season. And gets to play finals again. And win at least one finals game. Will be a fitting reward for him.

 

[gUt]

Really underrated player who would have been an automatic pick for Qld Origin for years if he weren't a filthy Kiwi. The Warriors will miss the stability he brings to the defensive line.

 

[Benek]

LEGEND

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

Of course, after 300-odd games over 13 years it would be churlish to criticise his decision- but honestly, I'm pretty gutted. Given his youth when he debuted and his consistency and fitness, I thought he might've been someone who would get way up towards 400 games and challenge records.

Mannering is several years younger than other elite players who have retired in recent years. He's 3 years younger than Smith/Slater/Cronk, he's 3 years younger than Luke Lewis who has had a similar career trajectory and debuted 4 years before Mannering did. He's a couple of years younger than Corey Parker was.

Just seems like in this day and age the top guys are playing for 15-17 years and retiring at 34-35. I'm such a huge Mannering fan that I feel selfishly gutted that he's packing it in at 32.

Sorry I know that this is probably a weird thing to focus on now but my initial reaction is disappointment. I'll come back later and shower the bloke with praise. Maybe it's because he's younger than I am and I'm still a young fella in my own mind. You're still just a lad, Simon!

 

[JJ]

Greatest Warrior ever IMO - I do wonder if his form this year was affected by this, he was great on the weekend...

300 games for one club will be incredibly special - especially given the workload and contribution he's made - I think Mayhew said Simon was physically the toughest person he'd worked with - a good, no bullshit, flat out great player - all the best Simon, respect for everything you've given to the club, and the Kiwis

 

[Scott]

Of course, after 300-odd games over 13 years it would be churlish to criticise his decision- but honestly, I'm pretty gutted. Given his youth when he debuted and his consistency and fitness, I thought he might've been someone who would get way up towards 400 games and challenge records.

Mannering is several years younger than other elite players who have retired in recent years. He's 3 years younger than Smith/Slater/Cronk, he's 3 years younger than Luke Lewis who has had a similar career trajectory and debuted 4 years before Mannering did. He's a couple of years younger than Corey Parker was.

Just seems like in this day and age the top guys are playing for 15-17 years and retiring at 34-35. I'm such a huge Mannering fan that I feel selfishly gutted that he's packing it in at 32.

Sorry I know that this is probably a weird thing to focus on now but my initial reaction is disappointment. I'll come back later and shower the bloke with praise. Maybe it's because he's younger than I am and I'm still a young fella in my own mind. You're still just a lad, Simon!

Nothing lasts forever.
He's carried the Warriors for the best part of 10 years. I'm not surprised at all. He was magnificent on Sunday against the Broncos, but has had a poor season compared to what we are used to. I'd say he is gone, mentally as well as physically. The way he played on Sunday, i'd say he had already made up his mind, and it showed. I'm predicting he goes out with a bang. A BIG bang. Fingers crossed. Not one player in the NRL deserves it more.

 

[ZEROMISSTACKLES]

As a non fan of "Mannerking" as he's called around here, Im sure going to miss his hard work both on offence and defence.

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

Nothing lasts forever.

Of course not, but this could have lasted longer!

Paul Gallen is 5 years older than Mannering doing pretty much the same thing (with all the physical scarring as well as the mental scarring of being the losing-est player of all time).

Ugh I'm just gutted as a fan, pretending to play coach/manager and manoeuvring the chess pieces, thinking of what might have been. I'm sure the actual flesh and blood human Simon Mannering has good reasons for his decision.

 

[Philip_Smith007]

Of course not, but this could have lasted longer!

Paul Gallen is 5 years older than Mannering doing pretty much the same thing (with all the physical scarring as well as the mental scarring of being the losing-est player of all time).

Ugh I'm just gutted as a fan, pretending to play coach/manager and manoeuvring the chess pieces, thinking of what might have been. I'm sure the actual flesh and blood human Simon Mannering has good reasons for his decision.

Mannering needs a few round of peptides to keep going to Gallens age!

He does seem young, he isn't that injury prone.
Must have other plans up his sleeve?
Or waking up to sore to pick up the kids?

Saw Luke Lewis make his announcement to retire yesterday.

Then on The Fan, Robbie O'Davis said his biggest regret was retiring early.

 

[ozenzud]

I feel sad to think that he won't be there. I was sad when Manu left, but that had inevitability about it because of his injuries. I was positive Mannering would be there for one more year. He is going as good as ever.

Well one good think might come out of it. They have some salary cap money left to keep Bully there for another year at least.

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

Then on The Fan, Robbie O'Davis said his biggest regret was retiring early.

Yeah I saw that too, and couldn't help but notice that Mannering will be the same age O'Davis was when he retired

 

[Rich102]

I think Mannering has his eye on something for the future.

 

[Beavers Headgear]

Well one good think might come out of it. They have some salary cap money left to keep Bully there for another year at least.

True, there was a rumour going round a couple of months back that they could only afford to keep one and were persuading Mannering to pull up stumps

 

[JJ]

True, there was a rumour going round a couple of months back that they could only afford to keep one and were persuading Mannering to pull up stumps

If that's the case, I am a bit surprised he hasn't decided to have a season or two in the UK

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

Another thing that bothers me is that we signed the even older Adam Blair to do a job that Mannering could be doing.

Mannering imo is far and away the better player, always has been and still is currently.

I really hope this is happening because Mannering honestly wants to retire and not because Kearney has told him that Blair (and others) are preferred.

There are a number of blokes (some of them pretty ordinary players and some of them at our club) Mannering's age or older around the comp and the idea that a competitor like Mannering isn't capable of doing what they are doesn't sit right with me.

As I say, I just really hope this is because he really wants to retire and not because Warriors management decided to sacrifice Mannering's career to extend the careers of Luke and (god forbid) Blair.

 

[Benek]

I'm sure it will be because he wants to retire. He wasn't pushed out.

 

[JJ]

Another thing that bothers me is that we signed the even older Adam Blair to do a job that Mannering could be doing.

Mannering imo is far and away the better player, always has been and still is currently.

I really hope this is happening because Mannering honestly wants to retire and not because Kearney has told him that Blair (and others) are preferred.

Amen to that - as I said above, I reckon if Mannering has been down a bit this year it's likely because of the decision, and/or perhaps (hopefully not) those messages from Kearney

Mannering was tremendous against Brisbane, and I reckon will be great the rest of the year - and I share the opinion that he is a much much much better player than Blair

 

[Shaun Hewitt]

On the day that Mark Graham gets announced as Hall of Fame as well.

Can see Mannering joining him in the future.

 

[sup42]

We have two impressive backrowers in Harris and Pulu replacing him and two young prospects who have a big future (Papalii and Vuna).
There are also three interchangeable prop backrowers in Paasi, Sao and and Blair.

The club has done brilliantly in recruiting for life after Mannering.

Good time to call it quits.

All the best Simon.