North Queensland Cowboys backrower Jacob Lillyman has finally accepted that his playing days for his beloved Cowboys are finally over.

The Queensland State of Origin forward will be sidelined for up to six months after being forced to undergo a shoulder reconstruction.

Lillyman has agreed to join the New Zealand Warriors at the end of the season on a two-year deal and has reluctantly accepted that his career with the Cowboys is now at an end.

“I feel for Jacob because obviously he's a north Queensland boy from Richmond and he's pretty devastated that that was his last game for the Cowboys,” said Ian Millward, the clubs caretaker coach.

“He's very devastated that he won't play again this year, he's pretty upset.

“He wanted to go out on the right note. It would have been great [bowing out] on the last home game here but it is not to be.”

The 24-year-old Lillyman was injured in the 12th minute of last weekends 48-20 loss against Melbourne Storm.

Lillyman made his NRL debut for the Cowboys late in 2003 and earned four State of Origin caps for Queensland.