Mcb777 LoginNRL Social: Retirements and fatherhood

Author: Hayley Byrnes pan66.com Reporter
Timestamp: Fri 10 Aug 2018, 02:01 PM

It's been a massive week for rugby league, with so many retirements you'd be forgiven if you missed a couple. That's when your trusty NRL social recap comes into play.

Congrats Wade!

Cronulla Sharks co-captain Wade Graham and his fiancee Karianne gave birth to a baby boy, the couple's first, last week.

Graham may be a little sleep deprived, but he's thrilled with the new addition.

"It's been so good, we are loving it. Got them both home from the hospital today so glad to have them settling in at home now," Graham pan66.com.

A post shared by (@wadegraham17) on Aug 5, 2018 at 7:10pm PDT

That's gotta hurt

Also on the father front, South Sydney powerhouse Sam Burgess had a mishap with his daughter Poppy.

A post shared by (@samburgess8) on Aug 5, 2018 at 12:58am PDT

And Wests Tigers back Malakai Watene-Zelezniak wished his beautiful girl a happy fifth birthday.

A post shared by (@malakaiwatenezelezniak) on Aug 8, 2018 at 7:29pm PDT

Baby Bremner

As the NRL edges closer to a new era for women's rugby league, Sammy Bremner shared this adorable photo from when she was a kid.

Go Little Sammy 👧🏼✌🏽🌼
No wonder why i still can’t part with my ribbon in hair superstition 🤭🎀
— Sammy Bremner (@SammyBremner)

And in a first for the NRL, mother and son are set to run out for the first time in Auckland with Lorina and Isaiah Papali'i both lining up for the New Zealand Warriors.

Mother + son 💜

📷
— Women's Rugby League (@WRugbyLeague)

What a week for retirements

After playing 313 games for the Melbourne Storm, Billy Slater announced his retirement at the end of the 2018 season.

A post shared by (@b1slater) on Aug 8, 2018 at 1:34am PDT

Naturally, some great tributes followed.

Wasn’t able to play against him, but what a honour it was to watch him play and grow up to the clinics he put on.
— Clinton Gutherson (@ClintGutherson)

A post shared by (@munster94) on Aug 8, 2018 at 1:13am PDT

A post shared by (@ryanhoffman12) on Aug 8, 2018 at 2:36am PDT

Jason Nightingale also chose to hang up the boots at the end of the season. The last remaining player from the Dragons' 2010 grand final victory over the Sydney Roosters will be hoping for another fairy tale finish.

A post shared by (@gypsy_no5) on Aug 9, 2018 at 3:14am PDT

A Dragons staple who will no doubt be missed by his teammates.

A post shared by (@euanaitken) on Aug 8, 2018 at 5:48pm PDT

And veteran forward Jacob Lillyman will also call time on his NRL career at the end of the 2018 season.

"I have some many fond memories from every club I've had the pleasure to play for. I was fortunate to represent my state and make some incredible friendships along the way,' Lillyman said.

A post shared by (@nrl) on Aug 7, 2018 at 10:02pm PDT

Cookie catch-up

After his side got the win over Dale Finucane's Melbourne Storm, South Sydney's Damien Cook made time for a quick catch up and some banter over Instagram.

A post shared by (@damiencook91) on Aug 3, 2018 at 7:47am PDT

Mansour in the wars again

Josh Mansour is probably a little too familiar with the Panthers team doctor, but he was all smiles despite splitting his eyebrow open during Sunday's thrilling win over the Raiders.