Canterbury Bulldogs back rower Corey Payne retires from rugby league

Bulldog Corey Payne has decided to retire from NRL. Picture: Gregg Porteous Source: The Daily Telegraph

WHEN the pre-season fire still burned, Corey Payne would do 10 sets of sandhill runs and want more.

"But this year was the first time I didn't feel that way," he said.

So instead of maintaining a charade for the sake of his contract at Canterbury, the local junior did the unthinkable and retired at just 28.

He broke the news to stunned Bulldogs teammates and staff on Monday, making the announcement in the club theatrette at Belmore.

Those familiar with Payne's unique off-field achievements and potential grasped the decision.

On top of being awarded 2012 NSW Young Person of the Year for work with disadvantaged youth, Payne is finishing a Masters degree in Commerce and plans research abroad as part of his Churchill Scholarship.

His links to Archer Capital, a private equity firm with stakes in Oportos and V8 Supercars, also presented immediate business opportunities.

"A number of the guys got it and understood the opportunities that I had and what I was doing off the field," Payne said. "But the majority were pretty shocked.

COREY PAYNE

Corey Payne and James Graham celebrate their win over South Sydney in the 2012 finals. Picture: Mark EvansSource: The Daily Telegraph

"They couldn't really understand why I would do virtually the whole pre-season and then just pull the pin."

The truth is he started to consider retirement shortly after Canterbury resumed training in November.

He spoke with Bulldogs CEO Todd Greenberg just before Christmas but returned in the New Year.

However, the array of commitments around his Australia Day honours last weekend drove home just how different life had become.

After 131 NRL appearances for the Dragons, Tigers and Bulldogs - most after recovering from a neck complaint early in his career - Payne knew he could not dedicate the energy required to succeed at the very top.

"I'm a very different person to the one I was 10 years ago," he said.

"I have different goals and aspirations. If I tried to do everything, everything would've suffered.

"And that would not have been fair on the club, my team-mates or myself."

source: news.com.au