Fans are going to miss the popular broadcaster and former player.

The rugby league world is throwing its support behind Ryan Girdler after the former Penrith premiership winner and fan favourite revealed he was stepping down from his regular radio role for family reasons. The former Kangaroos and Blues Origin star has been a regular at Sydney’s Triple M for more than a decade and has been calling the game for the network since 2012.

However, the 52-year-old has made the sad announcement that he’s quitting his role on the Saturday Scrum program as well as his match-day commentating duties because his European-based father-in-law is battling health issues. The Panthers great is determined to be by his wife and family’s side and admitted he “could be away for an extended period” as they travel to Europe to visit his sick father-in-law.

“It’s been an amazing journey at Triple M working alongside some great and very talented people,” Girdler told News Corp. “I’ll miss it but at the moment I have other things to do and I could be away for an extended period.” Girdler holds the record for most points (32) by an individual in a State of Origin game and is revered among Blues fans for his exploits in NSW’s 56-16 win over the Maroons in the third game of the 2000 series.

Triple M’s head of sport Ewan Giles said the network “fully support Girds and his decision to put his family first” and suggested the door could be open for the popular broadcaster to come back to when he’s ready. “I want to thank him for everything he has done for Triple M NRL and we wish him well for the next stage of his life,” Giles said. “He is and will always be a member of the Triple M NRL team.”

The former representative centre played 227 games in a glittering career that included stints at the Illawarra Steelers and the Penrith Panthers, who he won the 2003 premiership with. The 52-year-old transitioned into a successful media career after his playing days and has become a popular commentator and analyst, renowned and respected for his thoughtful and passionate analysis of the game and steadfast opinions.