The man who introduced Trent Barrett to grade football claims the Cronulla skipper's legacy should not be tarnished because of his failure to snare an NRL premiership.

Former Illawarra Steelers coach Andrew Farrar, who blooded Barrett in reserve grade before overseeing his elevation to first grade as an 18-year-old, said he would go down as one of the most naturally talented players he had ever met.

Barrett on Thursday announced 2010 would be his last season in football, ending weeks of speculation which had him considering one last hurrah with either Parramatta or Canberra in 2011.

There is little doubt a move to a premiership-contending Eels side would have been a massive temptation as he looked to fill the one void in his career, with the Sharks no chance of sending him out with that elusive title this year.

But Farrar said the lack of a premiership should not be held against the 15-year veteran.

"There's been plenty of blokes over all the years, great players, that have never won a comp," Farrar said.

"I suppose 1999 was the year, but it just didn't happen."

When St George Illawarra were pipped in that 1999 decider it was assumed Barrett would be contending for many premierships with what was a talent-laden Dragons side.

But as the Dragons continued to come up short, the barrage of criticism directed at Barrett rose.

He eventually fled the NRL at the end of the 2006 season for the relative calm of Super League with Wigan, but the lure of an NRL premiership still ate away at him as he joined a Cronulla side in 2009 coming off a preliminary final appearance the previous year.

But the next two seasons resembled a nightmare as off-field issues and injury combined to leave the Sharks battling for the wooden spoon rather than premierships.

His return did allow him the opportunity to captain NSW in this year's State of Origin finale, but a growing family and a yearning for a quieter life in his hometown of Temora in south-west NSW convinced him the time was right to walk away.

"I feel privileged to have played at three terrific clubs in St George Illawarra, Wigan and Cronulla and to have been coached by some very talented coaches," Barrett said.

"Among the highlights of my career was that I got to play with and against many of the genuine superstars of the game.

"Rugby league has been good to me and I hope to continue my involvement in the game with the NRL and country rugby league helping to foster and promote the sport in the bush."

Farrar said Barrett was always destined to reached the highest level in the game, the 32-year-old finishing with ten Origin appearances and 15 Tests to his name.

"In my reserve grade in 1996, it was his first year up in grade and he was outstanding, even then as an 18-year-old he was too good for them," Farrar recalled.

"He was something special."

Barrett's departure further robs the Sharks of experienced personnel, with his imminent departure to follow coach Ricky Stuart and chief executive Richard Fisk, who have already left the club.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP