Parramatta Eels star retires from the NRL aged just 31 after suffering multiple concussions throughout his career: ‘I lived my fairy-tale’

Parramatta Eels forward Andrew Davey has announced his retirement from rugby league after five seasons in the NRL.

Davey’s retirement from the game comes after he received advice from medical experts that he should hang up the boots.

Debuting in 2020 with the Parramatta Eels, his career would last 44 NRL games over the next four years with stints at the Eels, Manly Sea Eagles and Canterbury Bulldogs.

He returned to the Eels in 2023 as a mid-season transfer in Round 10 but managed just 12 games after being on the receiving end of two concussions.

His career also included winning the Mackay Cutters Rookie of the Year Award in 2016, playing in the 2019 NSW Cup Grand Final and becoming the fourth-oldest debutant in the NRL era at 28 years and 233 days old.

“For a battler from Central Queensland who wasn’t supposed to play one game of NRL, this career has plenty for me to be proud of,” Davey said in a statement.

“It may not be the ending I would have liked, but truth is, I lived my fairytale for five years.

“I’d like to thank the Parramatta Eels admin staff, the medical team and all coaches at the club, the genuine care and support I received throughout this process is greatly appreciated and I couldn’t ask for better treatment in making this decision.

“I’m extremely grateful to have such supportive family and friends and I’m also proud of the lifelong friendships I made during my time in the NRL.”

With Davey retiring, it’s understood that the Bulldogs would receive some dispensation from the NRL, given they are paying a portion of his deal at the Eels after a surprise mid-season exit.

Parramatta Eels General Manager of Football Mark O’Neill spoke on the exit of Davey, wishing him all the best for the future.

“Andrew has always had a great work ethic, his desire and drive to make it in the NRL is admirable,” O’Neill said.

“He has set himself up for success outside of football and we wish him all the best for his future.”

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Forward Murchie‘s move over to Super League was announced by the Giants back in August, joining on a three-year deal until the end of 2026.

The 26-year-old – who played his junior rugby with the Milton-Ulladulla Bulldogs – was granted an early release by Parramatta to make the switch to the John Smith’s Stadium, with 12 months left on his contract down under.

Huddersfield will be the Batemans Bay-born second-rower’s first taste of Super League action having accrued 45 NRL appearances.

The vast majority of those came for New Zealand Warriors, with just five for Parramatta this year, and three for Canberra Raiders at the start of Murchie’s career.

Amongst the other departures from 2022 NRL Grand Finalists Parramatta is former England and Great Britain ace Josh Hodgson, who – turning 34 today – retires and heads into a coaching role in the club’s youth setup.

The Hull-born hooker played for both FC & KR in Super League, making the move down under to Canberra Raiders ahead of the 2015 campaign after 134 appearances for the Robins.

Spending eight seasons with the Raiders and becoming a co-captain, Hodgson featured in the 2019 NRL Grand Final as they were beaten by the Sydney Roosters.

And having played 12 times this term for the Eeels, he has now been forced into hanging up his boots on medical advice.

Long-standing Parramatta head coach Brad Arthur also sees Waqa Blake, Andrew Davey and Samuel Loizou depart the club on the back of a disappointing campaign.

Fiji international Blake has been at the CommBank Stadium for the last four-and-a-half seasons, scoring 28 tries in 77 NRL appearances.

Forward Davey meanwhile brings an end to his second stint with Parramatta, retiring alongside Hodgson. The Queensland-born ace will turn 32 next month, and only made his NRL debut with the Eels in 2020 having quit his full-time job as a carpenter to do so.

Also playing for Manly Sea Eagles and Canterbury Bulldogs, Davey hangs up the boots with 44 NRL appearances to his name in total.

Lastly, youngster Louizou departs having come through the Eels youth system, joining as a teenager and debuting in 2021 in a heavy defeat to Penrith Panthers.

Of Greek-Cypriot heritage, the outside-back will turn 21 on Christmas Day, and has spent the last two years back in the New South Wales Cup.