Sydney Roosters NRL premiership prop Luke O'Donnell retires from rugby league Roosters prop Luke O'Donnell during this season's grand final win. SYDNEY Roosters prop Luke O'Donnell has retired, deciding this year's premiership win was the perfect way to end his career. O'Donnell, 33, returned to the NRL this season after a stint in England and the hard-nosed forward's final game will remain October's grand final win over Manly. Having played for Balmain Tigers, Wests Tigers, North Queensland Cowboys, Huddersfield Giants and the Roosters, his career spanned more than 14 years and 215 first-grade games - 188 of those in the NRL. Roosters prop Luke O'Donnell takes a trademark hit-up during the NRL grand final this year. "I've had some time to reflect and think about my future since the grand final, and this definitely hasn't been an easy decision, but it's the right one," said O'Donnell. I'm so grateful for everything rugby league has given me. Each of the clubs I've played at have made me a better man and I've made so many friends along the way. I've had a great career. I count myself incredibly lucky to have represented my state and my country and it was a dream come true to return to the NRL with a proud club like the Roosters, and to cap the year off with a premiership. Luke O'Donnell goes hard at Dave Taylor during a brawl in his final Origin game for NSW. O'Donnell debuted for the Tigers in 1999. He overcame regular trouble with both injury and the judiciary during his career, which was almost ended when his hamstring was torn off the bone in a horrendous 2007 "wishbone" tackle. An infamous highlight of his aggressive approach to the game was his wild Origin brawl in his final match for NSW in 2010. O'Donnell played five games for NSW (2006-2010) and 11 matches for Australia between 2005-2006. Luke O'Donnell takes a charge for the Kangaroos in 2006.