In the end, it wasn't David Croft's body that succumbed to the constant pounding of a decade of elite rugby.
That's not to say his wartorn rig didn't have ample excuse to literally split at the seams.
The 29-year-old Queensland Reds flanker, who will quit the game at the end of the Super 14 season, is a throwback to days when rugby players were made of sterner stuff; when getting a ladder of stud marks up your back simply meant you had a productive day in the office.
In stringing together a stunning 92 consecutive Super rugby games for Queensland since 2001, Croft has forged a reputation of toughness and resilience that is almost without peer in Australian sport. In an age of scheduled rests and workload management, genuine warriors like Croft are an endangered species.
It's not like he hasn't had his share of injuries. He just bores through the pain, while his flashing bald head has been the recipient of so many stitches it could open a haberdashery store. Ironman, the new Hollywood blockbuster, could have been modelled on his indestructible frame.
But when decision time arrived, it wasn't Croft's battered body that was the spur for his shock move to walk away from the game with one year remaining on his Reds contract. It was a worn mind, growing more weary with every training session, that forced his hand.
"My body will always carry on. It's probably my mind as well. You can probably always continue to push your body," an emotional Croft said after fighting back tears in front of reporters at Ballymore.
"I've been fortunate. I've played nine straight seasons and I haven't missed a game for Queensland. It certainly takes a toll on your body but it certainly takes a toll on your mind.
"It's everything. It's an accumulation of the training day. If I could turn up and continue to play week-in, week-out, I'd love it. Obviously you've got to wake up in the morning and jump out of bed for the right reasons.
"At the moment, if I stayed another year, I would be wavering there and that's not good enough in my books."
Croft is the latest big-name to announce he is leaving the struggling Reds at the season's end. In tow will be Wallaby fullback Chris Latham (England), halfback Sam Cordingley (France) and hooker Stephen Moore (Force/Brumbies).
Fullback Clinton Schifcofske, prop Rodney Blake and centre Morgan Turinui are no certainties to be retained.
His departure will sting perhaps more than any given the surprise nature of his decision and his new lease of life. After being dropped for two games mid-season, Croft is playing some inspirational rugby around the breakdown and running the ball with vigour that belies his mental fatigue.
But the constant grind has simply become too much. His candle is burned out at both ends.
Even when he signed a new contract at the end of last year - in the wake of his captaincy nightmare in the 92-3 thumping by the Bulls - Croft knew the finale was drawing near.
It was that horrible loss, the worst in the history of Queensland rugby, that persuaded him to stick around. His bottomless pride ensured he wouldn't leave on those terms, instead staying on to help his side begin the long climb out of the dark ravine.
Now, with new coach Phil Mooney and a promising group of youngsters making some headway, Croft feels there is hope on the horizon and the time to throw the keys to Queensland's generation next has arrived.
"I think it (that game) certainly had a bearing. We were last placed. The Reds weren't in a good position at all. I knew I had more to offer," Croft said.
"I had a good chat to Berrick Barnes and a good chat to James Horwill. I'm happy to leave the Reds in their hands. They're great young kids. It's up to them to develop their own culture now and move on from us old guys.
"It's perfect timing that the old guys are stepping away. At the end of the day an enthusiastic young side will beat a bunch of old timers. And that's what these boys are. They've shown that in the last five or six weeks and they've just got to finish off the game hard."
Croft, along with his fellow posse of departing veterans, will be given a dream theatre for their farewell when the Waratahs visit Suncorp Stadium on March 17 to finish the Super 14 season.
Even though the Reds are well out of finals contention, a victory over the old enemy would be a fitting finish for a man who has constantly punched above his weight and never left the field wondering if he had more to give.
"One of the greatest things about pulling on a Reds jersey is playing New South Wales. If I could choose a way to go out, this would be it," said Croft, an old boy from rugby assembly line Gregory Terrace.
"I'm very fortunate that the draw has panned out that way. It would be great to play them going into a semi-final but that's not the case. I'll just take one last shot at them and go out from there."
Croft has played 114 matches for his state but has just five caps for his country, making his Wallaby debut in 2002 against Argentina.
While his supporters believe he should have been given more exposure at international level, a raft of quality loose forwards has always seen Croft remain on top of the second tier.
Ironically, his recent form may have thrust him back onto the fringe of the national framework, with incoming coach Robbie Deans promising reputations will count for nothing when he selects his squad.
Croft said even if Deans came calling, his heart had all but left the game - although the prospect of Wallaby caps is the perfect tonic to revive a flagging desire.
"Whether they pick me for the Wallabies in the next six months or not, I don't think that's going to change my view," Croft said.
"Everyone wants to play more Tests. I played five and it was fantastic. It would always be great to play more but the opportunity didn't arise. I've got some great guys in front of me I always loved playing against and with. I think I'll miss those tussles more than anything."
Croft will remain in Brisbane and continue his work with sports agency firm International Quarterback. He is already the manager of talented football youngster David Williams, currently playing for Danish powerhouse Brondby.
