Andrew Johns leaves rugby league destined to be an Immortal after doctors advised him to end his decorated career or risk a "catastrophic" spinal injury.

The former NSW and Australian Test captain - regarded as one of the greatest players of all time - said the risks associated with continuing his remarkable 15-year career were just too great.

Johns made his decision following a CAT scan on his injured neck and hours of consultation with Knights club doctor Neil Halpin and spinal specialist Professor John Yeo.

Dr Halpin said the scans revealed a previously undetected disc injury which, while free of painful symptoms, posed serious risk for the Newcastle captain.

"Talking to Neil and the professor I realised how lucky I am that I haven't had a serious neck injury or a serious accident and be in a wheelchair," Johns said.

"Because it only had to be one knock and it was a fairly simple knock that I got at training and I was in agony, so I would hate to think if a full blown hit in the field, what it could've done."

He exits with a legacy befitting one of the best players of any era, Johns set to join Clive Churchill, Graeme Langlands, Johnny Raper, Reg Gasnier, Bob Fulton, Wally Lewis and Arthur Beetson as an Immortal of the game.

The Immortals are selected by past and present editors of Rugby League Week, the last inductee being Beetson in 2004.

Current Rugby League Week editor Martin Lenehan said Johns would be a leading candidate for nomination - possibly as early as next year - along with the likes of Brad Fittler, Allan Langer, Peter Sterling and Mal Meninga.

"In my opinion he's right up there and his place is assured alongside all those guys anyway, whether he ends up an immortal or he doesn't," Lenehan said.

"He's the best player I've ever seen, I've worked here for 12 years but have been following the game since probably the mid 1970s.

"We have an annual meeting every year about this ... logically 2008 with the centenary of the game would be a great time to do one."

Fittler said the Immortal tag would sit well with the man affectionately known as 'Joey'.

"No doubt he'll be remembered as one of the greatest players ever," Fittler said.

"Rugby league is a pretty hard sport and Joey contributed in attack, defence, goal-kicking, the whole lot.

"He held every facet of the game so there's no doubt he'll become an Immortal."

Dr Halpin said the injury which ended Johns' career was not related to the bulging disc in his neck which forced Johns to miss the last five matches of the 2003 season.

Johns initially hurt his neck in last Monday's 48-18 loss to Canberra and aggravated the injury at Knights training last Thursday following a collision with teammates Daniel Abraham and Adam Woolnough.

"His immediate problem is a facet joint injury in the neck, which is something quite painful but in itself not serious," Dr Halpin said.

"The scanning does confirm a facet joint - but it also shows a disc injury which is not causing any symptoms at all at the moment but is nonetheless quite serious and potentially a cause of a serious neck injury.

"The problem he has is that while his pain at the moment is not a great problem ... he's at serious risk of a serious spinal, or catastrophic, spinal injury if he plays on.

"On that basis we've advised him to retire from football forthwith."

Johns admitted he was shaken by his sudden retirement.

"I'm still in shock," said Johns.

"I was in shock when it happened, just totally numb.

"It was really tough telling my family.

"I made an emotional call to my brother Matthew and it was even tougher talking to the players this afternoon.

"I think the time's right."

Johns labelled his two premierships won with the Knights in 1997 and 2001 as the standout moments of his career, which began with his NRL debut against Gold Coast at Seagulls Stadium in 1993.

He played 23 State of Origin games for NSW and represented Australia in 21 Test matches during a 10-year representative career, including the 1995 World Cup and the 2001 Kangaroo tour.

Johns collected three Dally M awards and two Golden Boots as international player of the year.

Johns ends his career as the greatest pointscorer in NRL history with 2176 points from 249 first grade games with the Knights.

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