Parramatta Eels forward Shaun Lane has revealed the fading joy and motivation behind his decision to retire, closing the book on a 186-game NRL career that began in 2015.
The 30-year-old, the Eels’ 2022 Player of the Year, confirmed last week that he was stepping away and has now detailed how the call took shape over the past 18 months.
Speaking on 2GB’s Wide World of Sports, Lane said there wasn’t a single flashpoint, but a gradual realisation that the sport no longer felt the same.
“It happened over a long period of time… I was having less and less fun, less enjoyment, and experiencing less motivation to go out there,” he said.
He acknowledged a final tipping point arrived with his last appearance.
“I performed really badly… I wasn’t playing well in several games this year and wasn’t enjoying it at all. I kind of knew that I was facing the axe— that was pretty much going to be it for me.”
While the announcement surprised some fans, Lane’s comments paint a picture of an experienced campaigner listening to his instincts after nearly a decade at the top level. Rather than step away from rugby league entirely, he will remain at Parramatta in a new capacity, moving into athlete wellbeing with a focus on mental skills and player wellness—an area he believes can make a tangible difference inside a high-pressure environment.
Lane departs the field with a résumé featuring 186 first-grade matches and the respect of teammates and opponents alike, beginning the next chapter determined to support others through the challenges he knows intimately.
