Announcement: Parramatta Eels star player is leaving..

After many concussions during his career, the Parramatta Eels star retires from the NRL at the age of just 31. “I lived my fairy-tale,” he says.

Second-rower Andrew Davey of the Parramatta Eels has announced his retirement from the NRL due to a history of concussions and recommendations from medical professionals regarding head damage.

Over the course of five seasons, the 31-year-old played in 44 NRL games for the Sea Eagles, Bulldogs, and Eels.

He had a contract with the Eels through the end of 2024, but he decided to retire after suffering multiple concerning concussions throughout the course of his career, several of which happened in the previous 12 months.

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

“The fact is, I lived my fairytale for five years, even though it may not have been the ending I would have preferred.”

I want to express my gratitude to the Parramatta Eels administration, medical staff, and all of the coaches. I am really grateful for the sincere kindness and assistance I have received over this process, and I couldn’t ask better

“I am incredibly appreciative of my family and friends, and I take great pride in the lifelong friendships I formed while playing in the NRL.”

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Brutal Review: Eels’ “waste” revealed as gamble backfires; significant recruitment victory over rival

In little than a year, they went from being grand finalists to missing the top eight.

The Eels have some hard work ahead of them after co-captain Junior Paulo stated in a recent interview that it “feels like a year wasted.” It’s a somber return to reality for the team.

There was always going to be more work to be done this year. After all, the loss of Isaiah Papali’i, Reed Mahoney, and Marata Niukore was a blow to the team.

However, head coach Brad Arthur would not have been ready for the prospect of Dylan Brown missing seven games due to a major event that occurred off the field.

He also couldn’t have guessed that the Player of the Year for 2022 would sustain three separate injuries. He also didn’t anticipate that the team’s largest off-season addition would play in just 12 games prior to his medical retirement.

The squad probably planned to use their bye in Round 27 in February to refocus before the championship game. Rather, the club hosted its yearly awards ceremony, and season 2023 ended early.

However, that was the Eels’ year; nothing happened as planned.

After the Eels lost their first three games of the season, fans were beginning to worry, but they were relieved when the Eels defeated the Panther in a thrilling repeat of the grand final.

They gained some momentum by winning three of their next five games, but they lost to the Raiders and Titans in back-to-back weeks.

It was quite the ride.

The Eels reached their highest position on the ladder this season, sixth, after their longest run of five games before a bye.

That wasn’t the prelude to finals, though it was supposed to be. Their subsequent seven games were all losses, putting an end to any remaining hope that perhaps this was the year.

Next was the season finale for the Eels, which they played against a starting-heavy but marginally undermatched Panthers team.

Just one week before they were proclaimed minor premiers, who would have guessed that the Eels would upset Penrith 32–18?