THE prosperous career of Simon Woolford, a former representative hooker and club captain, may end without even a fizzle, let alone a firework, after he admitted yesterday that he desperately needed to play football within the next fortnight or he would face the prospect of having already played his last NRL game.

Red tape seems to be close to ending Woolford's career, with St George Illawarra coach Nathan Brown overlooking him for a first-grade position in recent months and bickering in the Illawarra Carlton League meaning he cannot play lower-grade football.

While the former Canberra hooker remains hopeful of playing again for the Dragons in his final season, he said the next two weeks would be crucial. "I've got to get a run over the next couple of weeks, it's as simple as that," he said.

Woolford has been training with the Dragons, has been on the sidelines for their matches and even travelled with them interstate, however, without match fitness Brown will be less inclined to select Woolford, especially with the finals, and far more intense football, only weeks away.

"It's been real tough," Woolford said. "Obviously it's a situation I haven't had to be in for a long time. I've still been training with the side but later in the week with the real short sharp sessions, I've had to do my own stuff. I've been doing a fair bit of extra sessions. It's hard work but I'm hoping it'll be worth it."

The 33-year-old former Country rake, who considered retirement last season before deciding on a swan song, played his last NRL fixture against Melbourne in round 10, and admitted he has wondered if that would be his finale. After he was dumped from first grade, he originally played for the Wollongong-University Bulls, however, protests from other sides have apparently left him in footballing limbo. But he is holding out hope that he can return to the top grade. "It just depends, I guess," he said. "We'll know over the next couple of weeks. It was hard when we'd won seven in a row, but we've lost a couple now."

Woolford has no desire to attempt to play on next season. "Bloody oath it's my last," he said. "I never had any intention of playing after this year."