Girdler confirms retirement at
season's end

Penrith Panthers centre Ryan Girdler has confirmed that he will retire at the end of the season, ending speculation about his future.

Reports about Girdler?s retirement began circulating last month when a Sydney newspaper reported the 32-year-old was ready to walk away from the game at season?s end. But Girdler had not yet spoken with club officials to confirm his decision.

This morning, the club confirmed that after discussions between relevant parties, Girdler had decided 2004 will be his last season.

Girdler, who has become one of Penrith?s most popular players and holds a swag of club records, has played first grade for the past 14 years, but has been plagued with injury in recent seasons.

Girdler says he doesn?t want to look back on his final years and realise he walked away from the game one or two seasons too late.

?I?ve really enjoyed my career and been lucky enough to do a lot of good things in it, so it?s better to go out hopefully still playing well rather than going on one or two years too long,? Girdler says.

?I?ve been lucky enough to meet some good people on the way through and I?ve got a few business things that I intend to work on. I also want to do some traveling, hang out and give the body a rest for a couple of months.?

Panthers CEO Shane Richardson says Girdler will be sorely missed by the club, who will be hoping to send the veteran out with a second premiership.

?Ryan is a great asset to this club and to the game,? Richardson said this morning.

"In his career he has helped us win a Premiership, set a number of records and been an inspiration for a lot of young players. His popularity with the fans is well deserved and he will be missed.?

Girdler made his first grade debut with Illawarra in 1991 and went on to represent both New South Wales and Australia.