ONE of rugby league’s genuine hard luck stories has run its course, with Manly’s Tim Moltzen forced into retirement at the age of 27 due to a series of chronic injuries.

Recruited by the Sea Eagles on a second-tier contract over the off-season, former Tigers prodigy Moltzen suffered further damage to his knee while training last month, with arthritis leaving his joint as effectively bone on bone.

Doctors have told Moltzen another round of surgery could impact upon his quality of life without having any affect on the injury.

The utility back thanked coach Trent Barrett and the Sea Eagles for taking a punt on him late last year and their attempts to get him back to full fitness.

Round 19

Tim Moltzen in action for the Tigers in 2010. Source: News Limited

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“I would like to thank Trent Barrett, the Manly coaching staff, my teammates, and the Manly

administration for sticking by me, and giving me the chance to prove myself, both mentally and

physically,” Moltzen said.

“Their faith in me has meant the world.

“It is very disappointing at 27 to call it a day and by no means was it an easy decision.

“It was definitely not something I wanted to do, but it is something I have been forced to do.

“It has been a bitter pill to swallow. The hard truth is there is nothing I can do. The cards have

been dealt this way.

“Although it hurts, by no means am I disappointed with the journey I have been on in rugby

league because it has introduced me to some wonderful people who I would never have met.”

As a result he is reluctantly hanging up the boots, pulling the pin on his bid to return to first grade for the first time since round seven, 2013.

The former Country Origin fullback played in the Sea Eagles Auckland Nines campaign in February and had been on the comeback trail from a dislocated elbow sustained in NSW Cup in round two.

His latest knee blow out is the final straw for the man once touted as Benji Marshall’s long term halves partner at Concord.

Between 2008 and 2013 Moltzen turned out in 90 games for the Tigers, with a ruptured left ACL ending his 2010 season after just five games.

After two successful years with the Tigers that had him mentioned as a possible NSW Origin contender, Moltzen again tore the same ACL in 2013, and then suffered a shattered knee cap the following pre-season.

The frustration continued with a staph infection picked up during rehab going undiagnosed for four months before further AC joint and elbow injuries brought his time at the Tigers to a close.

With a move to the northern beaches it was hoped a fresh start would see Moltzen turn around his wretched run and get back on the paddock.

But with time being called on his NRL career, Moltzen will assume an off-field role with the Sea Eagles for the remainder of the year while considering his options.

The writer is on Twitter: dan_walsh64

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