It didn't take very long. I returned to training on Tuesday for the first time since announcing my retirement. As soon as I arrived, Frank Paul Nuuausala and Mose Masoe presented me with a whistle, and clipboard with ''Piggie's notes'' written on it. The boys were giving me heaps. I hope I get more respect when I become their head coach!
A week has gone by and I'm feeling very comfortable with my decision to retire. Sure, it wasn't the fairytale finish I'd hoped for. My last game came on a cold Monday night in Melbourne, where I came on for the last 15 minutes. I knew then that my time was up. For about a month or so I'd been speaking to my wife about retirement and I never wanted to hold up a young bloke's career. In many ways I already had my fairytale when the Warriors won the Super League title last year against St Helens. Winning that game at Old Trafford will remain my greatest memory. There are no regrets at all.
And now I've started the next phase of my life - coaching. Brian Smith has given me a chance to see how he operates behind the scenes so I can decide if it's something I want to pursue. It's great to see how Smithy and his staff go about preparing the team and putting together game plans. I'm like a sponge, just soaking it all in.
At this stage, I don't come in when the boys are doing weights or fitness - pretty much the same as my playing days! But I'm there for the field sessions to learn and help out when I can. I love the fact that I've got an opportunity to dip my toe into coaching as well as pursuing my interest in the media.
I know that some players have struggled to come to grips with retirement, but for me it's so far, so good. I've had a while to get my head around it. When we won the grand final with Wigan last season I was treating that like it was my last game of footy. Even though I wasn't playing my best football, it was a bonus to get half a season in with the Roosters. There are going to be times when I know I'll miss playing, but there's a real sense of relief now that I've made the decision.
Already, I've had a chance to get away and do some things you don't normally get a chance to do when you're playing. The family went away to Wollongong to catch up with some friends, including Shaun Timmins. There will be more to celebrate with Timmo this week - his wife just had a baby. Good times.
It's going to be tough, but I reckon the Roosters will survive without me. There's no doubting the hard work has been put in at training, but the boys just haven't been gelling on the park. But with Mitchell Pearce, Anthony Minichiello and Nate Mylesall coming back from Origin I'm expecting the boys to get back on track against the Knights today.
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