Creagh has no NRL retirement plans

St George Illawarra captain Ben Creagh says he has no retirement plans after agreeing to a one-year NRL contract extension.

The deal will keep the 30-year-old at his junior club until the end of the 2016 season, but he says that doesn’t mean he has set an end date for his career.

He said he hoped to remain a one-club player and would reassess his future next year.

“I’m not sure, I’ve got no plans after 2016,” he said.

“I just want to finish the season off well, have another pre-season and see how the body is going in 2016.

“If I’m contributing and playing well enough, they’ll offer me another contract.”

Creagh made his debut as a winger in 2003 but has transformed himself into a hard-working back rower.

He has played 253 games in the Red V, played 11 State of Origins for NSW and two Tests for Australia, won a premiership with the Dragons in 2010 and is a four-time winner of the club’s player of the year medal.

Barring injury, Creagh will break the games record for the Dragons early next year with only Norm Provan (256) and Ben Hornby (273) in front of him.

“It is pretty surreal, especially with a guy like Norm Provan who is a hero at this club,” Creagh said.

“I know he’s not at Immortal but there are a lot of people out there who say he should be.

“He’s one of those figures that when you meet him you’re in awe of him.

“I can’t compare to a player like Norm Provan, it’s just great for me to be able to play in the same jersey he did.”

Coach Paul McGregor said Creagh’s new contract was just reward and he continually set an example for the club’s forwards.

The only major player on the club’s roster yet to re-commit for 2016 is Jason Nightingale and McGregor revealed he hoped to have his winger re-signed in the coming weeks.

“We’re working closely with (Nightingale’s) manager,” McGregor said.

“Jason’s keen to stay and I’m keen for Jason to stay.

“We’ll just have to see how we come out of it but I’m hoping it will be done in the next couple of weeks.”

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