NRL: Retiring Luck returns to North Queensland for off-field position

Micheal Luck. Photo / Getty Images

Warriors' stalwart Micheal Luck will return to North Queensland in an off-field role when he retires at the end of the NRL season.

The 30-year-old, who played 76 games for the Cowboys from 2001-05 before switching to the Warriors, will take over as football operations manager from Peter Jones, who has decided to work with one of the club's corporate partners.

With two regular-season rounds remaining, Luck will finish his career with almost 230 matches to his name after announcing his retirement earlier this year. The 2011 grand finalist said he had always planned to return to North Queensland, adding the opportunity presented by the Cowboys was one he was very happy to take up.

"Even though I left the Cowboys seven years ago, they've always been a club close to my heart," Luck said.

"North Queensland was where I made my NRL debut and I had five very enjoyable seasons there.

"My parents are in Townsville and are proud members of the Cowboys.

"It's great to be going back home and even better that I get the opportunity to again be part of the North Queensland club."

Cowboys' general manager, football Peter Parr said Luck had all the credentials to be a success in his new role.

"As well as the experience he has gained from playing more than 200 NRL matches and being with two clubs, Micheal has worked hard on making sure he is well placed for a career after playing footy," Parr said.

"We're delighted that he's coming back to North Queensland and that he'll take over from another well-respected former player at our club, Peter Jones, who has made a massive contribution to the Cowboys both on and off the field."

Luck, who is an NRL education ambassador and former player and clubman of the year at the Warriors, was recently named in the 2012 NRL/RLPA Academic Team of the Year.

He has been studying for his Masters of Business at AUT.

The back-rower will join Paul Bowman, Glen Murphy and Clint Amos as former Cowboys in off-field roles with the club.

- AAP