Tallis announces retirement

Brisbane stalwart Gorden Tallis has announced his retirement at the conclusion of the 2004 season.

Tallis, 31, listed ongoing concerns over his troublesome neck as the main reason for his retirement from the game. Tallis first injured his neck in 2001 and missed almost the entire season and injured his neck against St George Illawarra in round 12 earlier this year, leading to a lack of confidence from Tallis.

The Broncos are well served in the forwards though with former Bronco and All Black Brad Thorn returning to the club and the emergence of rookie Neville Costigan as a long term replacement for Tallis in the enforcer role.

Tallis also spent several seasons with St George before moving north to the Broncos in 1996.