June 26, 2017
Former Kingaroy Red Ant Matt Ballin announced his retirement from the NRL on Monday, effective immediately.
The 33-year-old Wests Tigers hooker has played 220 NRL games but only made one appearance for the Tigers this year due to injury.
After leaving Kingaroy, Ballin played in junior grades with the Brisbane Broncos but made his NRL debut in 2007 with the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles, scoring a try on debut.
He was part of Manly’s premiership-winning 2008 and 2011 teams but suffered a season-ending knee injury in 2015.
He signed a two-year contract with Wests Tigers in 2016 but only played one Reserve Grade and two NRL games for the Tigers that year before again succumbing to a knee injury.
Ballin – the son of well-known former Kingaroy High School principal David Ballin – also earned a Queensland jersey as hooker for the Maroons in Game 1 of the 2010 State of Origin series, which Queensland won 28-24 before a crowd of more than 68,000 at ANZ Stadium in Sydney.
Wests Tigers says Ballin will remain heavily involved with the club for the remainder of 2017 as he continues his rehabilitation and takes part in a player transition program.
He will also remain a major part of the club’s community programs.
Ballin told Wests Tiger Media he felt lucky to have played even one NRL game, let alone 220.
“I never thought I’d play in the NRL, I never thought I’d accomplish that,” he said.
“To do that at the Sea Eagles was one of the first steps in a long career that I’ve been very lucky to have. Just playing first grade was a massive accomplishment for me and something I’d always wanted to do since I was a young kid.
“Being successful and making the friendships I did at Manly was great, but coming to Wests Tigers for the past two years has also been incredibly rewarding.
“I haven’t played much footy, but I’ve met some great people and been able to help off the field, which I hadn’t been able to do as much before.
“It’s been a bit of an evolution for me, going from a young guy who just wants to play footy to winning competitions to now getting to the end of it and being able to help the next generation come through.
“My Mum and Dad, and my two brothers have been amazing.
“The support and love and care they gave me growing up and all the way through to the end of my career has been fantastic as well.
“The ones that are close to you, particularly my wife Shannon and my kids, I can’t thank them enough. They see the ups and the downs and yet they support you all the way through, I couldn’t say anything but I love them and I’m very thankful for their support.”
Wests Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe thanked Ballin for the role he has played at the club.
“I’d like to thank Matt for all of his efforts during his time here at Wests Tigers,” Justin said.
“While unfortunately his time on the field has been limited, he’s had a major impact off it.
“He’s been a part of our leadership group almost since day one, which speaks volumes about his character and standing in the game.”
