Sydney Roosters veteran Josh Morris has admitted he considered bringing his retirement forward this year after suffering a serious hamstring injury.
The 35-year-old could be playing in his final match this week if the Roosters don’t prevail against Manly, but revealed that he feared his career could’ve been brought to a premature end just last month.
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Morris’ season was in doubt after injuring his hamstring in early August, but the retiring winger has been able to make it back for his team’s finals campaign, scoring a try in the Roosters’ thrilling one-point win over the Titans in last week’s elimination final.
In the lead-up to what shapes up as a blockbuster semi-final against the Sea Eagles, Morris revealed just how close he was to calling it quits early.
“There were probably a couple of stages there when I did the hammy, not knowing if I was going to get back or not,” he told 9News Sydney.
“A couple of days there I woke up and wanted to go home, but having spoken to the wife, she reassured me and told me everything was alright and to keep chasing my dream.”
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Friday night’s clash against Manly is headlined by a marquee match-up of fullbacks James Tedesco and Tom Trbojevic.
An outstanding season has led to Trbojevic being spoken about as the best player in the NRL, something that will drive Tedesco according to his Roosters teammate.
“It’s exciting for Ted,” Morris said.
“He thrives in that big-game arena and Tommy has been touted as the best fullback this year and Ted will definitely want to get one over him.”
Tedesco has become an idol for younger Roosters such as Victor Radley, who says there is simply no conversation as to who is the NRL’s premier No.1
“I prefer Teddy,” Radley told 9News Sydney. “I might be biased, but I’d have Teddy any day of the week. He’s just the GOAT, I love him.”