Newcastle coach Rick Stone has praised outgoing captain Kurt Gidley as one of the NRL club's all-time greats.
Gidley announced on Tuesday that he has signed a one-year deal with Warrington in the English Super League.
The announcement marks the beginning of the end of a highly decorated Australian rugby league career, in which he has played 236 games in the red and blue.
Gidley also played 12 State of Origins for NSW - including five as captain in 2009 and 2010 - and 12 Tests for Australia.
Stone believes Gidley holds a unique place in the club's history.
"Thinking back from Sam Stewart through to Chief (Paul Harragon) and then Joey (Andrew Johns), and Beds (Danny Buderus), he's right up there with those sort of blokes, Stone said.
"It's a big responsibility captaining in this town and he's taken it to heart.
"Everyone wants to play with him and everyone loves his intensity, competitiveness and willingness to play a number of positions."
That unselfishness was on display when Gidley said that one of the main reasons he is leaving is so Newcastle can keep its crop of exciting youngsters, particularly the three Matautia brothers.
"I have been thinking about this for over 12 months and I knew it had to come to an end at some stage," Gidley said.
"There were plenty of young players coming off contracts, who have come through our juniors like Sione (Matautia), Chanel (Matautia), Pat (Matautia), as well as Dane (Gagai) who has been a great buy for the club.
"I really wanted to see those types of players re-sign and I would have been disappointed to see them go to another club."
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