Jharal Yow Yeh has this morning announced he will retire from the game of rugby league.
The 24-year-old cannot continue to fight continuing complications brought about by an injury suffered in an NRL game in Perth two years ago.
Prior to the injury, he had already produced a sparkling career, playing State of Origin for Queensland and Tests for Australia by the time he was 22.
Broncos’ chief executive Paul White said while it was terrible news for the player, the Broncos and rugby league in general, Yow Yeh’s future was the only concern.
“From the front office to the coaching staff to his teammates, Jharal is universally respected by all,” said White.
“He has a generous outgoing nature which has always endeared him to members of the community.
“Everyone at the club has the utmost admiration for the way he has tackled the challenges he has had to deal with over the last two years to give himself every chance to get back on the field.
“He has left no stone unturned in that goal, and it was wonderful to see him play again during the trials this year.
“But now it is time for him to move on to what is next.
“He has a bright future - rugby league and sport has always been the vehicle for that, and will continue to be as he to builds a career off the field.”
Yow Yeh came to the Broncos from the Norths Devils club in Brisbane, and was a star from the moment he pulled on a Broncos’ jersey.
He scored 27 tries in his first and only year of the under-20s competition, and played in the Broncos’ team that lost the 2008 National Youth Competition grand final in extra time that season.
By round one of the next season he was in the Broncos’ NRL team, scoring on debut against the Cowboys.
He quickly established himself as a permanent first grader with a knack for scoring tries few others could.
In 2011 representative honours beckoned, and he was chosen to play for Australia before he played State of Origin.
That Queensland jersey would come, Yow Yeh playing three Tests for the Kangaroos and three Origins in 2011.
