Fairytale hopes for Nightingale

IT would be the dream way to finish one of the greatest careers in St George Illawarra history.

Should the Dragons play every week leading to this year’s grand final, veteran Jason Nightingale will retire equal with club great Ben Hornby’s record of 273 games in the Red V.

And Hornby believes it will be a fitting way for Nightingale to end his career.

“It’d be very nice. Obviously we’d all love to be successful this year so if we could get there, it’d be great for Jase to finish on that note,” Hornby said. “I think he deserves that.

“He’s been a great person for the club, great teammate and that’s going to be sorely missed.”

The Dragons yesterday announced Nightingale would hang up his boots at the end of the season, ending a 12-year career that sees him finish as a rare one-club player.

The 31-year-old said he had decided last year that this season would be his last and was buoyed by the additions of veterans over the summer.

“I remember finishing last season, I rang a few people going, ‘This’ll be it’,” Nightingale said.