BATLEY BULLDOGS stalwarts Alistair Leak and Lucas Walshaw will retire at the end of the season.
The 34-year-olds both say injury has played some part in the decision to finish their careers after Batley’s upcoming play-off campaign.
Hooker Leak has spent his entire professional career at the Fox’s Biscuits Stadium, racking up 292 appearances over 14 seasons since being signed by John Kear from Egremont Rangers in his native Cumbria.
Forward Walshaw joined in 2020 from hometown club Dewsbury Rams, having previously played for Wakefield Trinity and Bradford Bulls, and has made 139 Bulldogs appearances.
Both were fixtures in the Batley side which reached the Championship Grand Final in 2022 and 1895 Cup final at Wembley the following season, both under coach Craig Lingard.
They are now hoping to go out on a high as the Bulldogs, now led by James Ford, look forward to the play-offs after their final regular-season game, at home to Salford, on Sunday.
Walshaw said an ongoing knee issue was the reason for his retirement decision, explaining: “I’m due a PCL (posterior cruciate ligament) reconstruction, and that would be a year out.”
Meanwhile, Leak said: “Mine has numerous factors. Injury is one, and there are family and work circumstances as well. It just feels like the right time.”
It continues the changing of the guard at Batley, following the retirements of fellow long-serving forwards James Brown and Luke Blake at the end of last season, and Adam Gledhill in January.