Trent Merrin conceded that rugby league had become too quick - so he decided to walk instead.
After pondering retirement for more than a year, Merrin told St George Illawarra teammates at training on Wednesday that he'd played his last rugby league match.
It ends a 223-game NRL career that included the 2010 premiership.
The call came as a shock to many, but the 31-year-old had long- promised himself he'd only play on while he felt he was good enough after returning home from England early last year.
He made the decision after Sunday's loss to the Warriors and told Anthony Griffin on Monday, the coach labelling the call one of the most selfless things he'd seen a player do.
"It's been on my mind for about a year now and I always had in my mind that the last straw was the footy aspect," Merrin said.
"I feel the game is drifting away from myself and I have to be honest with that and I will call it before it calls me.
"I knew in my heart and self (after Sunday) that was it. I had nothing else in the tank and nothing else to prove or give.
"I'd probably be doing more damage than good (playing on). My salary and position can definitely go to a better place."
An agile lock and astute offloader at his best, Merrin showed all the footwork of his time as a self-confessed chubby kid in ballet classes.
Even this year he prospered in the opening month, busting eight tackles in the first four games.
But ultimately, not even the lure of one final big game at the SCG on Anzac Day against the Sydney Roosters this weekend could keep him going.
Instead, after 13 State of Origins for NSW - including playing with the drought-breaking side of 2014 - and seven Tests for Australia, Merrin no longer felt he was up to it.
He also claimed the game's new rules to promote fatigue had impacted his decision, but wasn't sure if other forwards over 30 would meet a quicker end.
"It definitely didn't slow (the decision) down, that's for sure," he quipped.
A Dragons junior, Merrin had always hoped to go full circle and retire at the club after leaving at the end of 2015 for Penrith and playing under Griffin there too.
"It's one of the most selfless things I have seen a player do," Griffin said.
"He hasn't asked for any money or time. He could easily hang around for 20 more weeks and collected his cheque by playing off the bench.
"This is the first time (I've seen a player call it so immediately).
"He's got nothing left to prove to anyone, which is a credit to him because he's not genetically the most gifted person in the world.
"He's had to work really hard every year of his career to get where he has been."
Australian Associated Press
