Jawful Carroll announces retirement
September 2nd 2008 09:36
Tonie Carroll was always hard to contain
Brisbane Broncos forward Tonie Carroll won't be remembered for his devastating defensive hits on opposition players, nor will he be remembered for playing 18 Origins for Queensland.
Because when people talk about Carroll, they talk about 'The Jaw'.
Yep, Carroll - the man with the biggest jaw in Rugby League - has announced his retirement, ending speculation he was to link up with current coach Wayne Bennett at the Dragons next season
The 32 year old international player, who holds the rare, albeit controversial distinction of having played for both Australia and New Zealand, will finally finish his tenure at the Broncos to take up a career as a Real Estate agent at the Gold Coast.
But despite being part of four Brisbane premiership winning sides (1997,98,00,06), Carroll has always been a man that most prefers to stay under the radar.
Off the field, the man they call 'Tunzy' never really opened a mouth that is probably the biggest in the NRL - a title closely fought out by now Warriors centre Brent Tate.
On the field though, Carroll's jaw gets the work out it deserves.
The Christchurch born Bronco made his presence felt from the very moment he stepped on to Australian shores, debuting for junior club the Easts Tigers before going on to play for Brisbane in 1996 under the tutelage of none other than Wayne Bennett.
In his first year at the club, Carroll would receive the Broncos rookie of the year award. An honour that would no doubt set the trend for his 12 successful years of first grade Rugby League.
After winning three premierships with the Broncos, Carroll would leave the NRL for the English Super League at the end of 2000 to play for the Leeds Rhinos.
There, he would become the Rhinos leading try scorer in his first season in England scoring 23 four pointers.
Although injury ruined his career at the Rhinos, Carroll would return to the Broncos with his best form ahead of him.
Carroll would later make his debut for the Kangaroos, despite having already played three tests for New Zealand during the 2000 World Cup.
During his tenure back in the NRL, Carroll would become a prominent feature for Queensland in State of Origin, often serving as the bodyguard for two time Golden Boot winner, and Brisbane team-mate, Darren Lockyer.
No doubt his 103 kilogram frame was indeed useful when he helped steer the Broncos to an upset grand final victory over minor premiers the Melbourne Storm in 2006, despite suffering a leg injury during the match.
Since then, Carroll has kept on intimidating opponents and still provides some big hits when the occasion calls for it.
His tackling technique is really second to none, with many league legends proclaiming Carroll to be one of the best hitters in the game.
But as the legs tire and the shoulders ache with every piece of contact, Carroll now knows the time to quit is now.
His retirement signifies the end of the glorious Broncos era which was led admirably by workhorses Shane Webcke, Gordon Tallis, Andrew Gee and Petero Civonicieva.
When season 2008 concludes for Carroll, no doubt 'The Jaw' will have plenty of stories to tell about an era in which he battled with giants under a master mentor.
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