Dragons lock Merrin walks away from NRL

Former NSW State of Origin and Kangaroos Test lock Trent Merrin has played his last NRL game after announcing a snap retirement from rugby league.

Merrin told Dragons teammates and officials of his decision on Wednesday, pulling the curtain closed on a 13-year career across both Australia and England.

An agile forward when at his best, Merrin played 13 games for NSW and was part of the state’s drought-breaking success in 2014.

Trent Merrin on the charge. Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

He also played seven Tests for Australia to go with his 223 NRL games, before making the surprise decision to walk away.

“I’m very happy to be able to finish my career on my own terms,” Merrin said.

“This was a decision where I had to be true to myself. I have outgrown the game and the game has outgrown me. “My appreciation for rugby league will never die.”

After debuting as a local junior at the Dragons in 2009, he was part of their premiership-winning side the following year.

The lock then left for Penrith at the end of 2015, before spending a year in the Super League with Leeds and returning to the Dragons last year.