Following the confirmation of his retirement, Wigan Warriors skipper Liam Farrell is uncertain whether he will get a chance to play one final game.
Farrell announced he will hang up his boots on Sunday evening, pulling down the curtain on a professional career that began in 2010. His ties with Wigan date back further than that though, having joined the club as a 12-year-old.
The back rower has, for the majority of his career, stayed fit and healthy, with 2016 and 2019 being the only seasons he has played fewer than 20 games. This year, he sits on 19 appearances, but he hasn’t taken to the field since the end of June, when he picked up a shoulder injury against Hull FC.
With a potential of only three games remaining, depending on whether Wigan make the Grand Final, Farrell is now at huge risk of not playing a final game, with the knock potentially ripping that chance away from him.
The Warriors legend joined The Bench podcast this week to discuss his retirement, and admitted it was unlikely he will play again this year, or ever.
“It’s one of them – who knows?” he admitted. “I have to see the specialist again yet, and see what he recommends, and there’ll be a decision made in the near future. That’s all I’ve got for now.
“Careers don’t always end how you want them to end. Don’t get me wrong, I’d love it to end that way, but we’ll wait and see what the next few weeks bring.
“Regardless of how it does end, I’ve done more than I ever wanted to achieve. I’d be happy whichever way it goes.”
Farrell is content with the fact that his playing career is already over, but does admit he would absolutely love to have a farewell game, especially at the Brick Community Stadium.
“I’m okay with the decision of not playing again next year. I’m at peace with that. It would have been nice to have maybe just play one more game here, but like I said, things don’t always finish the way you want them to.
“We’ll just wait and see what the decision is in the next few weeks. I really don’t know the answer to that at the moment. I can dream about it at the moment.”
RIP Sir Billy, under-the-radar challengers, Hull KR’s controversial call and more – Click here to watch this week’s episode of the Serious About Rugby League Show
