Michael Crocker announces his retirement

Rabbitohs captain Michael Crocker has announced today that he will retire from playing Rugby League at the end of the 2013 season, bringing to a close a career filled with success at both club and representative levels.

Crocker, 33, made his first grade debut playing for the Sydney Roosters against the Bulldogs at the Sydney Football Stadium on 25 March 2001 in round six.

Crocker played five seasons and 92 first grade games with the Roosters where he was part of the premiership-winning 2002 side, as well as the 2003 and 2004 Grand Final teams.

Crocker then moved south to Melbourne where he played three seasons and 44 first grade games with the Storm, playing in the Grand Final-winning 2007 side as well as the 2008 Grand Final team.

Crocker then shifted to the South Sydney Rabbitohs midway through the 2009 season where he has gone on to play 68 first grade games over five seasons, as well as being part of the five-man leadership group that captained the Club in 2012, and being named the Club