End of the road for Barrett and Co

This weekend's final round of the NRL season will draw the curtain on some of the
most illustrious careers in the game.
Cronulla skipper Trent Barrett and Luke Covell run out for the last time when the
Sharks play Penrith on Saturday, as will Parramatta's long-serving captain Nathan
Cayless against the Warriors.
North Queensland's former State of Origin winger Ty Williams will do likewise in
Townsville when the Cowboys face Sydney Roosters.
Barrett's former NSW and Australia teammate Brett Kimmorley has also called time on
his career and 24 hours later will play his final game when Canterbury meet Manly at
Brookvale Oval.
Gold Coast's former dual international Mat Rogers is also hanging up his boots but,
with the Titans involved the finals, the playmaker has at least one more game to
prolong his long career.
As does St George Illawarra's two-time premiership-winning hooker Luke Priddis who
is quitting after more than 300 games.
Barrett's decision to join the Sharks two years ago from English side Wigan cost him
any real chance of a crack at an elusive premiership, but the former Dragons star
said he had no regrets as he looked back on a 14-year career on Friday.
"There isn't just one thing that sticks out as a highlight, there have been a few,"
Barrett said.
"My first games for Australia and NSW are important, making my debut was great and
winning the Dally M in 2000 is up there.
"The 1999 grand final was a highlight and a lowlight, but I have been very lucky to
have had an enjoyable career."
The Dragons' gut-wrenching 20-18 defeat to Melbourne in front of more than 100,000
fans still haunts the club's supporters, but Barrett said not winning the big one is
something he has grown to live with.
"It would have been nice, but I am not disappointed but I don't think I could have
done anything else to get one," he said.
"There has been a lot of players who have not been lucky enough to win one and I am
going to join them."
In addition to his 234 NRL appearances, Barrett played for Australia on 13 occasions
and for NSW 11 times.
He rates current Test skipper Darren Lockyer and his predecessor Brad Fittler as two
of the best he played alongside.
However, the 32-year-old rates former NSW halfback Andrew Johns as the best of the
bunch.
"Locky and Freddie were terrific but Joey sticks out as the most complete player I
have seen, watched and played with or against," he said.
"He was an amazing player and changed the way the game has been played."
While Barrett and Kimmorley go out on their terms, the same cannot be said for
former Test stars Steve Price and Steve Simpson and Penrith winger Shane Elford.
All three have been forced to quit due to injuries, with Simpson bidding farewell to
the Newcastle fans in a huge send off in front of a capacity crowd last weekend
against the Dragons at EnergyAustralia Stadium.
Queensland great Price officially ended his long career midway through the season in
an emotional press conference in front of his Warriors teammates.
Elford, who won a premiership with the Wests Tigers in 2005, ruptured his anterior
cruciate ligament in May against Canterbury.