After six years, three grand finals and a Group Nine premiership, Daniel Fitzhenry has left the Riverina.
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Fitzhenry has decided to hang up his football boots and his family will move to Newcastle for a fresh start.
Coming to Wagga six years ago after retiring from the NRL, Fitzhenry was an instant hit with Southcity.
Signed to much fanfare, he delivered the club its first premiership in 2011 in his first season as captain-coach.
After a thrilling win in the last minute victory over Gundagai, he also took the Bulls back to another two grand finals, but couldn’t replicate the same success.
After four seasons at the helm and following a record grand final loss to Albury in 2014, Fitzhenry stepped down from the role and moved across to play for Temora.
The first year as player only before becoming captain-coach of the Dragons last season.
A few days short of his 37th birthday, Fitzhenry felt the time was right to retire.
“I’ve retired,” Fitzhenry said.
“It was always on the cards and every year over the last two or three years I’ve gone around thinking this could be my last, but I thought it was time.
“It was a good time for us to move with our kids the ages they are.”
Fitzhenry is looking to take a back seat and support son Liam and daughters Amali and Molly in their sporting endeavours.
Fitzhenry played in 137 games for Wests Tigers as well as 53 games for Hull Kingston Rovers in the English Super League before moving to Wagga.
While the 2005 premiership with the Tigers stands out above any of his football achievements, his rates his premiership success with Southcity as his biggest achievement while in the Riverina.
“The premiership the first year I was here was pretty special,” Fitzhenry said.
“I’ve had some good times, we won a couple of West Wyalong Knockouts, lost a few grand finals.”
Fitzhenry’s most successful time was as captain-coach of Southcity, but the 36-year-old was glad he made the move to Temora to see out his playing days.
“The last two years over with Temora, I’ve really enjoyed it,” Fitzhenry said.
“The first over there I didn’t coach and taking that step back and just enjoying it a little bit more and mucking around with the boys at bit more was great.
“I’m happy I finished my club over in Temora, they are a great club with a great committee and great people.
“Traditionally they have produced some great players so it say I played my last game there, I’m quite happy to say that.”