Melbourne Storm halfback Cooper Cronk has announced that he will leave the club at the end of the season to be closer to his fiancée and Sydney-based Fox Sports reporter Tara Rushton.
Cronk dropped the bombshell announcement at a press conference in Melbourne today and said it had been a difficult decision after spending the last 14 years at the club.
CRONK RETIREMENT NEWS TO BELLAMY
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"Obviously if it was a football decision I'd be staying here for a long period of time but for me to finish up here at Melbourne Storm this year is a personal reason," Cronk said.
"Tara my fiancée is based in Sydney and there are a few things in life that's more important in football, like family, getting married and a future, and that's basically the reason for this announcement today.
"I've been pretty selfish in my approach to my football career and I think it's time I put someone else and something else first.
"In terms of what happens next I sit here in front of you today and completely honest, I actually don't know.
"What I do next year is up in the air but I feel fit enough, I feel mentally strong enough to continue playing."
Melbourne halfback Cooper Cronk is leaving the Storm to be closer to his fiancee Tara Rushton in Sydney. (AAP)
Cronk, 33, has been an integral part of the club and is regarded as one of the "Big Three" alongside hooker Cameron Smith and fullback Billy Slater.
He won a premiership with the club in 2012 (two were taken off the Storm by the NRL in 2007 and 2009 for salary cap breaches) and has been a regular fixture in the representative arena for both Queensland and Australia.
Cronk signed a two year deal with the Storm but the final year was an option in his favour and he was adamant that he had not started talks with any Sydney club yet.
He would be a valuable commodity on the open market and would surely attract interest from several clubs looking for a quality halfback to turn their fortunes around.
Cronk, 33, said he made the decision now to enable the Storm to start planning their playing roster for next season.
He said he had thoroughly enjoyed playing last season with the Storm, which saw the club make the grand final only to lose a thriller to Cronulla 14-12.
Cronk got engaged to Rushton in the off-season and said he found it increasingly harder to return to Melbourne now after spending his spare time with her in Sydney.
"I've got the greatest memories anyone could have and I'll be honest I feel like I'm one of the luckiest persons to have ever played the game," Cronk said.
"Sometimes there's more to life than football and I'm jealous of the guys who have their families here, who have their loved ones, who have football in the same city.
"And unfortunately, or fortunately whichever side you sit on, it's time for me to prioritise my time and my future."
Melbourne halfback Cooper Cronk said it had been tough to tell his teammates of his decision including captain Cameron Smith. (AAP)
Cronk said he hadn't really contemplated the thought of donning another jersey to play against the Storm next season, but he believed he still had at least two good seasons left in him.
He also singled out coach Craig Bellamy, captain Cameron Smith and fullback Billy Slater for special mention and said it had been tough when he had to inform them of his decision.
"I'm an emotional person, I don't hide behind that fact, but when you develop relationships with a lot of people outside of football … it's personal," Cronk said.
"At times you get emotional but I think I've held it together ok."
Bellamy said he hadn't given any thought yet to candidates who could replace Cronk in the No.7 jumper at the Storm next season.
Cameron Munster was earmarked to play five-eighth this season, but has been replaced at the moment by rookie Ryley Jacks while he recovers from a broken jaw.
"I actually don't know what route we're going to go there but Cooper is going to be a very, very hard guy to replace," Bellamy said.
"It doesn't matter who else is here, or who ain't here. He's been a wonderful contributor to our footy team on and off the field for a long period of time, a real long period of time.
"To replace that isn't going to be easy."