Catalan Dragons forward Steve Menzies has announced his retirement from Rugby League after an incredible 20 year career.
Menzies first grade career started all the way back in 1993 and he soon made a name for himself as a wide running back rower for the Manly Sea Eagles. His combination with Cliff Lyons become legendary. The sight of Menzies running off a Cliff Lyons pass become the stuff of nightmares for opposition teams.
Menzies is a two time Premiership winner with the Sea Eagles and played an incredible 349 first grade games.
Menzies stands out in Rugby League history for his try scoring record, which for a player of any position is outstanding. In scoring 180 tries over his NRL career Menzies finds himself only behind the great Ken Irvine as the second highest try scorer in Australian Rugby League history.
Over his career, Menzies was a regular on the representative scene. He first broke into test football in 1995 and played 19 times for Australia over the course of 11 years. His try scoring rate at test level was incredible as in 19 games he crossed for 18 tries.
Menzies moved to the Bradford Bulls in 2009 and then moved on to the Catalan Dragons in 2011. Throughout his time in Super League he has been one of the top performers in the competition. To this day Steve Menzies is one of the most dangerous players in Super League.
Steve Menzies is nothing short of a legend in Rugby League. His achievements mean he stands shoulder to shoulder with the game all time greats. his try scoring feats will be looked at in awe for decades to come.
It is sad that Steve Menzies career is coming to a close. Personally, I remember talking about Menzies at high school with my mates. We all admired his talent, but then, he did play for Manly, so we couldn’t talk him up too much.
Menzies is an ornament to the game of Rugby League and I hope that on his return the NRL finds a way to use him to promote the game in some capacity.
Congratulations to Steve Menzies for an incredible career. He is without doubt one of the best players I have seen in my lifetime.
