Friday 13 May 2016 14:43, UK
Castleford full-back Luke Dorn, the most prolific overseas tryscorer in the history of Super League, is to retire at the end of the season.
Dorn, who turns 34 in July, made the shock announcement just hours after marking his return from a two-month injury lay-off with a first-half hat-trick of tries in the Tigers' stunning 52-12 win over Super League champions Leeds at Headingley.
The former Manly and Sydney Roosters half-back, who has spent the last 11 years in England with spells at Castleford, London Broncos and Salford, wants to return with his young family to Australia and says the time is right to hang up his boots.
"It will be with a heavy heart when I finish here but it's a great club I am finishing at and I'm really excited that my last game will be for this great club." said Dorn, who is in his second spell with the Tigers and helped them reach the Challenge Cup final in 2014.
"It's a completely different club from when I was here the first time and I think we've all played a part in where the club is at now.
"I'll be leaving this club in a good place and that's a bit of relief. A lot of players don't get to retire on my terms.
"It's been very fulfilling being back here and that's made it a bit easier in terms of satisfaction ahead of retirement."
Dorn has scored 160 tries in 242 appearances in Super League since arriving in London as a 22-year old in 2005, initially as a stand-off and more lately from full-back.
"I think Luke has probably been the best attacking full-back in Super League when he's been fit over the last couple of years and I'm hoping he's going to be able to do that for the rest of the season," said Castleford coach Daryl Powell.
"He's been an outstanding rugby league player. Since I've been at the club, his ability to communicate is second to none, as is his understanding of the game.
"He has decided this is the right time to go back to Australia and we respect his decision and wish him well."
