Manly Warringah Sea Eagles hooker Lachlan Croker has announced his immediate retirement from professional rugby league, becoming the latest NRL star whose career has been cut short by the ongoing effects of concussion.
A Career Ended by Head Knocks
The 28-year-old made the difficult decision following medical advice, after suffering a head knock during a training session in June of the 2025 season. This latest incident proved to be the final straw, with Croker unable to shake persistent symptoms and missing the entire back half of the season. His final NRL match was a Round 15 loss to the Gold Coast Titans earlier this year.
Croker's battle with head injuries was not isolated. He also missed three months of the 2024 season due to lingering symptoms from a concussion sustained in Round Nine. This history, combined with the most recent knock, led him to conclude his playing days after 125 games for the Sea Eagles, having also played one match for the Canberra Raiders in 2016.
"My body is in good shape, but my head is telling me it's time," Croker said in a statement released by the club. "I've had one too many head knocks, and the last one was the last straw. As hard as I tried to get back playing, I just couldn't as the symptoms persisted."
Transition to Coaching and Club Implications
Croker will not be leaving the Sea Eagles family entirely. The club confirmed he will transition straight into a coaching role, taking charge as the head coach of Manly's SG Ball (Under-19) team. Former Sea Eagles centre Brad Parker will serve as one of his assistants.
On the financial side, Manly are set to receive salary cap relief as Croker's retirement is on confirmed medical grounds. This opens a significant opportunity for the club's recruitment plans. Reports suggest the Sea Eagles could use this newly available cap space to make an immediate play for South Sydney Rabbitohs prop Davvy Moale, who is already signed to join Manly in 2027. Securing Moale early would bolster a forward pack that struggled for consistency at times in 2025.
With Croker's departure, the hooking duties are expected to fall to 24-year-old Jake Simpkin, who impressed after joining the club and recently signed a contract extension.
Joining a Growing List of Concussion Retirements
Croker's premature exit adds his name to a concerning and growing list of top-line NRL players who have been forced into retirement in recent seasons due to repeated concussions. He joins the likes of:
- Dale Finucane
- Andrew Davey
- Boyd Cordner
- Jake Friend
- Lachlan Coote
Originally debuting as a halfback, Croker reinvented himself as a durable and dependable hooker, becoming a mainstay in the Manly side. His commitment was recognised in 2022 when he was crowned the club's best-and-fairest player, a shining light in a season overshadowed by the controversial 'Everyone In League' jersey saga.
His retirement marks the end of a career defined by resilience and adaptation, ultimately concluded by the paramount importance of player health and safety.
