When news broke last month that there were fears for his future, the man dubbed 'Choc' was determined to complete his rehabilitation and play some role in Parramatta's premiership campaign. However, it has become evident that the knee problem has got the better of him, with Watmough rarely spotted at the team's training sessions at Old Saleyards. In some of those he has participated in, the premiership-winning forward has barely been able to walk, let alone run at the intensity for which he is known.

It is a sad end to a glittering career that spanned fourteen years in the top grade. While he finishes up at Parramatta - where he marked his milestone 300th game - Watmough will best be remembered for his feats with Manly.

Watmough was part of the Sea Eagles side that won two premierships in a golden run that included 10 straight finals appearances. He was honoured as a life member of Manly, although he left in acrimonious circumstances when the club refused to offer him the money he wanted for a contract extension. He was subsequently released with a year remaining on his contract, transferring to arch rivals Parramatta on a long-term deal. The wisdom of signing a player in his thirties with such a long injury history has been debated ever since, given Watmough's deal takes up a big chunk of the Eels' salary cap.

However, his premature retirement could be a blessing for a club that is facing the prospect of being docked points and being deemed not cap compliant due to a raft of dodgy contract deals.

One of Watmough's third-party agreements is at the centre of the NRL's investigations. It's alleged Watmough's TPA with ScoreCube was not properly disclosed to head office, raising the prospect of heavy sanctions against the club. There is no suggestion Watmough, his management or the TPA provider did anything inappropriate, but his retirement could ease financial pressure his third-party agreement inadvertently created at the club.