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North Queensland ... veteran Ashley Graham to retire at seasons end. Source: Liam Driver / News Limited
Cowboys veteran Ashley Graham has cleared up confusion surrounding his future by revealing plans to retire at season's end due to an arthritic ankle.
Speculation last month suggested Graham was contemplating pulling the pin, prompting North Queensland's official website to report the 28-year-old had not ruled out playing on in 2014.
But ahead of the Cowboys' derby clash with Brisbane tonight at Suncorp Stadium, Graham told The Courier-Mail he is treating the 2013 campaign as his NRL swansong.
The Maroons Origin hopeful has been one of the code's most underrated performers, with Graham just two tries shy of 100 career four-pointers and needing a further nine games to reach the 200-match milestone.
Graham wasn't named to face the Broncos, but has travelled with the Cowboys squad and is expected to replace Kalifa Faifai Loa on the flank tonight.
The former Eels threequarter is off-contract at season's end and it is understood Cowboys management do not expect to hold a fresh round of negotiations.
"At the moment I'm looking at retiring at the end of the season," Graham said.
"I'll see how the year goes for me, but I'm looking at retiring and enjoying this as my last season."
Graham is only 29 in June, but has done well to carve out a decade-long career after suffering a shocking fracture of his ankle during his formative years at Parramatta.
The onset of arthritis has made Graham's footballing life increasingly difficult, making his 21-try effort last season even more commendable.
"My ankle is not the best in the world," he said with a wry grin.
"It's probably the right time in my life to start a new chapter.
"I've had plenty of injuries and been playing with them for a while now.
"I'll finish my sports-science degree at the end of this season so hopefully I can pursue that. If not, I'm not sure what I'll do, but I'm not too concerned at the moment because playing well for the Cowboys is my main focus.
"The body is hanging in there. It's only the start of the season so it's going to get worse, but hopefully it will be another good year for me."
Cowboys teammate Brent Tate, who himself has battled an assortment of injuries, said Graham did not get enough kudos for his proficiency on the wing.
"I room with Ash and I know he's been thinking about it (retirement)," Tate said.
"He is one of the best wingers I have played inside. He's a true gentleman of the game as well and a quality all-round guy.
"I told him that you are a long-time retired but I don't talk to him too much about it because that's his call."
Tate said a maiden Queensland Origin jumper would be the ultimate reward for Graham in his final season.
"I know he would dearly love it ... he's such a bloody professional and he's so underrated," he said.
"Even when the Cowboys were struggling he was still playing well and he was our leading tryscorer last year.
"I'm so thankful for what he's brought to our team."
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