Knights recruit Rory Kostjaysn today officially called quits on his time in the NRL after a horror training miss-hap in the pre-season led to a career ending injury.
The hooker received an accidental elbow to the throat from would-be understudy Dani Levi earlier in the year which, after numerous surgeries has led to a 40 per cent reduction in his aerobic capacity.
Kostjaysn admitted in his official announcement that he was disappointed to not play for the Knights, a team who followed as a junior growing up on the Central Coast.
'A lot of times in my career I tried to get myself to the Knights, but for whatever reason it just wasn't the right time and it didn't happen,' said Kostjaysn.
'Now that I'm finally here, I won't get to pull on that red and blue jersey.'
A self-confessed 'average footballer', Kostjaysn was able to reflect on an impressive career that spanned across seven seasons since making his debut with the Melbourne Storm in 2010 and culminated in a World Cup appearance with Ireland in 2013 and a premiership with the Cowboys in 2015.
'I've been pretty fortunate to be able to have some above average highlights in my career,' said Kostjaysn.
The hooker, who played 126 games in the NRL admits he knew almost straight away that it was a career-ending injury.
'I knew two to three months ago that I was done, the specialist showed me that my airway was now almost 40 per cent smaller than what it was, I realised that it was going to be pretty difficult (to get back),'
Kostjaysn will turn to a coaching role with the club, with the Knights offering the 30 year-old the role of head coach with the Harold Matthews side, beginning next season.
'It's disappointing that I won't be playing footy (next year), but I'm very happy that I'll still be involved and very grateful to the Knights for their support for the next phase.'
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| Kostjaysn making the announcement at today's press conference. Image - Newcastle Knights Media. |
