With a fourth Southern Inland premiership under his belt, Xavier Chigwidden feels the time is right to retire.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Chigwidden has decided to go out on a high after Waratahs 54-12 win over Ag College in the grand final on Saturday.
“It was a really good way to finish it off,” Chigwidden said.
Chigwidden admitted he would have retired after last year’s grand final if the result went the way of the Wagga club.
He had the chance to win it, and deny Leeton their first premiership in 26 years, with a late conversion attempt.
However unlike the 2008 decider, when his conversion was just enough to hand Waratahs the win, his sideline attempt faded and the Phantoms held on for a one-point win.
“At the end of last year I would have stopped by I missed a kick so I went one more year to win it,” Chigwidden said.
“I managed to fulfill my end of the bargain.”
Chigwidden retires with an imposing record.
He won premierships with the club in 2008, 2010, 2011 and now 2018.
The five-eighth was also in losing grand final teams in 2009 and 2017.
Joining the club as an 18-year-old he only missed out on making it through to the grand final in one season.
After moving to Sydney, he returned to Wagga in 2017 but now wants to focus on his young family.
Wife Caitlin is expecting their second child and the 29-year-old wants to spend more time with son Patch, 2.
“It will be easier now on my family not having to go to training on Tuesday and Thursday nights and I can help out a bit more,” Chigwidden said.
Chigwidden almost joined Ag College after finishing school before heading to Waratahs.
He’s very glad of his choice.
“It’s the best club I’ve played with definitely,” he said.
“It’s the best managed and team I’ve been apart of and I’ve made a lot of life long friends so it has been really good.”
There are plenty of changes expected for the premiers next season.
Richard Skellern won’t be back for a second season as coach.
Austin Wallace, who injured his knee early in the win over Ag College on Sunday, is moving away and won’t be return for a third season.
A number of players are also weighing up retirement plans.
READ MORE