Former Test captain Brad Fittler will make one final push for a third premiership ring after his dramatic announcement that he will retire at the end of the 2004 National Rugby League season.

The Sydney Roosters five-eighth and skipper wants to emulate Mal Meninga, Terry Lamb, Royce Simmons and Glenn Lazarus, who all finished their illustrious careers on a high with grand final glory.

"You sort of look at the players who have done that," said Fittler, who won premierships with Penrith in 1991 and the Roosters in 2002.

"I know Mal Meninga has, Terry Lamb did, Royce Simmons ... some real good players have gone out with premierships - that would be a great way to go."

After leading the Roosters to a 28-8 victory over Canberra at Aussie Stadium in his 318th first grade match, Fittler dropped the bombshell at a post-match press conference.

Roosters coach Ricky Stuart backed Fittler's decision to retire, saying only great players can choose when they hang up the boots.

"I think Brad's made the right decision," said Stuart.

"You can see the way Brad is playing now, every game this season he's been very dominant in and only the great players can choose when they retire - there's only a handful of them and Brad is one of them.

"I think he's correct in his decision. You can go one year too long.

"If he sets himself a high benchmark and he didn't come up to that benchmark in the following season, well that answers it."

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