Fairytale farewells and Danny Buderus haven't exactly gone hand in hand over the years, so it was hardly surprising to see the Newcastle hooker fail to bow out of the NRL on his terms.

Buderus confirmed the expected with a damaged tendon near his right biceps requiring surgery and a six-month rehabilitation.

The injury, suffered in the final minutes of Newcastle's 38-24 win over North Queensland on Saturday night, is also set to put back his English debut with Leeds later this year.

"It's not the finish I had imagined but I am slowly coming to terms with what's happened over the last 24 hours," the veteran said.

"The realisation that I had just played my last game for the Knights was very overwhelming and the thought of not putting on my red and blue No.9 jersey ever again was really hard to comprehend."

Buderus, 30, was due to farewell the Knights faithful in Saturday night's match against Melbourne, where a large number of former Newcastle players will gather for the traditional old boys game.

In reality, Buderus should not be surprised.

His NSW farewell earlier this year ended in heartache with Queensland securing a third straight series win at ANZ Stadium.

Buderus also never got the opportunity to retire from Test football on his own terms with Melbourne hooker Cameron Smith never giving up the jersey Buderus handed him when he opted to miss the 2006 Tri-Nations tournament to be home for the birth of his first child.

But while he won't get the opportunity for one last hurrah at EnergyAustralia Stadium, Buderus said memories of how he had been treated by Knights fans in merrier times - like when 15,000 waited for the team's return home following their 2001 premiership triumph - were still fresh in his memory.

"Only a place like Newcastle could give you the welcome home we got that night," Buderus said as he recalled the fondest memory from his 220-game Knights career that began in 1997.

"Winning the premiership and then the trip back up the F3 was the highest of highs and walking into the packed stadium was incredible, something I will never forget.

"The feeling I got that night stayed with me and motivated me for all these years to train week in week out to reach that pinnacle again."

Buderus leaves Australia as one of the greatest hookers the game has ever seen, a player who revolutionised the position as he brought an element of playmaking and endurance not seen before in the No.9 jumper.

He played 21 straight games for NSW and represented his country on 24 occasions, captaining Australian in four Tests.

"With the World Cup at the end of the year I felt my goal of playing for Australia one last time was within reach as well, but it just wasn't meant to be," Buderus said.

"I have had a great run in the representative arena over the years and I'm proud of what I have achieved.

"The memories I take with me and the friendships I have formed will last a life time."

The accolades flowed thick and fast, with Knights chief executive Steve Burraston leading the charge.

"Not many great players get to go out on their terms and I really feel for Danny, he deserves so much better," he said.

"The contribution Danny has made to rugby league and the city of Newcastle is enormous.

"I remember him coming to the club as a skinny little half from Taree ... he leaves a lasting legacy and will be remembered as one of the all time greats of the game."

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