Or so he thought. 

Retire from the game he loved, on his own terms to enjoy the banana beach chair life of retirement.

‘How wrong could I be’ Ross mused to this reporter.

The ex-Cronulla, St George Illawarra, Penrith and South Sydney forward stopped by Gunnedah as special guest at the recent Men of League (MOL) Charity Bowls Day.

With his playing days behind him, Ross is busily carving out a new career as MOL’s  national welfare manager.

His job description might have changed but little else has he said with the life just as hectic as his last NRL match. 

“I thought retirement would be pretty easy because I set myself up and I have a business in Cronulla... but this, it’s full on,” Ross said.

“Since I started with MOL I haven’t had two seconds to sit back and relax.

 “And now we’re involved with the Footy Show, it’s a busy time.”

It is a heavy schedule but the six-game Origin star has no regrets.

After announcing his retirement, Ross declined an offer from then London Broncos coach Tony Rea to sign with the Super League club.

He opted instead to take up his current position with MOL and has not looked back since.

 “It’s a tough job (with MOL) but I wanted to give back to the community,” Ross said.

“Having fun is a big part of it but raising money for our rugby league communities is even better.

“I get to help people for a living and I couldn’t ask for anything more.”

Born in central Queensland, the MOL devotee easily related to Gunnedah’s laid back lifestyle.

“I love being in the country, it’s a slow pace life that I’m used to being a country boy originally,” he said.

Ross considered the charity days as much about fund raising and spreading the MOL gospel as they were about looking after your mates.

“People don’t seem to get together as much as they did in the past,” he said.

“It’s an isolation thing.

“So it’s good to get back with your mates and catch up on old times.

“We’re all here for the same thing because we love the game and love to help out others in need.”

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When the NVI caught up with Ross in Gunnedah, he spent the day prior in Muswellbrook with MOL and recently returned from a trip to Queensland with the foundation.

Following his Gunnedah engagement he was due back in Sydney to assist ex-Newtown Jets, Penrith and Canberra player, Ray Blacklock, with medical treatment.

 “He’s struggling a bit with a neck problem,” Ross said. 

“We’ll take him to see a few surgeons, look after him, make sure he’s alright.”