North Queensland forward Scott Bolton has announced he will draw the curtain on his 13-season NRL career at the end of this campaign.
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The 2015 premiership player confirmed on Tuesday that he would bow out in 2019.
Bolton - a veteran of 244 games to date - is set to be farewelled by his home crowd against Canterbury on Thursday night when the Cowboys play their final game at 1300SMILES Stadium before they relocate to new venue North Queensland Stadium next year.
"As a kid from Innisfail, just coming to the Cowboys in the mid-2000s was fulfilling a life-long dream. I never imagined I'd go on to play for the club for 13 seasons," 32-year-old Bolton said.
"I'd like to thank my family, teammates, coaches and fans as well as all the sponsors of the club for all their support throughout my career.
"I have so many great memories of playing at 1300SMILES Stadium and I can't wait to run on to the ground one final time on Thursday night."
Bolton sits fourth in games played for the Cowboys behind Johnathan Thurston (294), Matt Bowen (270) and Matt Scott (268).
Making his NRL debut in round four 2007, Bolton became the Cowboys' eighth life member after playing his 200th game in round 24 of the 2017 season before featuring in that year's grand final.
"In some ways Scott Bolton's career has been understated but if you have a look at his resume - 244 games, life member, two grand finals, one premiership, numerous finals games - he's had one of the premier Cowboys careers," the club's football director Peter Parr said.
"He came to us straight out of high school in Innisfail and what he's gone on to achieve has been remarkable.
"In my mind Scott Bolton is one of the great contributors, both on and off the field, in this club's history."
Australian Associated Press
