The prospect of one more pre-season has proven too much for veteran Newcastle forward Chris Heighington.
The ex-England international has announced he will retire at the end of the 2018 NRL season, drawing the curtain on a 15-year career.
The 36-year-old currently sits on 334 games - eighth on the all-time NRL matches-played list.
He can leapfrog Brad Fittler (336) and move to seventh overall by season's end.
The two-time premiership-winning forward said he had enjoyed his first season at the Knights but could not face yet another gruelling pre-season at Newcastle.
"A lot of ex-players told me I would know when it's time but I haven't felt that feeling yet but I do know the pre-seasons are long and another year is a big ask," Heighington said.
"I want to go out on my terms. I'm still playing injury-free and I don't want to be greedy.
"I could try and continue to play but I risk picking up a bad injury or slipping in form so I feel it's my time to move over and let one of the young boys come in."
Heighington is the NRL's third most capped forward after starting his career with Wests Tigers in 2003.
He won a 2005 title with the Tigers (2003-2012) and toasted 2016 success at Cronulla (2013-17).
"The two premierships are big highlights," Heighington said.
"In 2005 at the Wests Tigers, no one expected us to win it. We weren't one of the rich clubs but we got on a bit of a roll and we delivered the Wests Tigers' first premiership.
"It was the same for Cronulla. We weren't expected to win it but we went on a 16-game winning streak and won."
