Panthers and former NSW Blues utility Tyrone Peachey has confirmed that he will retire from the NRL at the end of the season as it is the right thing to do for his family. The 32-year-old has spent the majority of the 2024 season in reserve grade, having made just two appearances on the bench.
And Peachey believes it is the right time to hang up the boots, marking the end of his 12-season career. The utility has played 209 NRL games, made three NSW Blues appearances and scored 60 career tries. Peachey, who narrowly missed selection for Penrith’s 2023 grand final squad, announced the news on Monday on his podcast.
“I just want to announce that I’m retiring from the NRL,” an emotional Peachey said on the Peached Podcast. “I’ve been battling through some things… I was struggling for a bit and I’ve noticed myself being not fully committed to footy.”
This decision comes somewhat as a surprise, considering he made 15 first-grade appearances last season and had been linked to a move tio South Sydney in the last 12 months. But Peachey has only played two NRL games this year and said it was the right time to pull the pin on his NRL career.
“I was pretty sad and rattled to admit it (to his wife),” he said. “I’ve known for a while and it’s been hard at training, and harder to turn up every day, it’s been difficult. But I finally admitted it and I felt better.
“I suppose (I’m) trying to set myself up and really diving into work post-football. I’ve finally admitted to myself that (it’s time). I’ve had (the family) follow me around for the last 13 years and it’s been a journey – it’s full on, but I just want to settle down for the kids. They’re at the age where they kind of need to get a group of friends and have best friends for the rest of their lives.
