Parramatta second-rower Andrew Davey has retired from the NRL following repeated concussions this season.
The 31-year-old suffered a head knock during the pre-season challenge playing for Canterbury and after re-joining the Eels went down again in the surprise defeat of South Sydney in late May.
Davey suffered another concussion defending a kick return in the round-24 loss to Brisbane and needed to be helped from the field.
He did not play in the Eels’ last two games of the season as he recovered.
There was speculation last month Davey could be forced into retirement and the Eels made it official on Wednesday afternoon.
“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.
“It may not be the ending I would have liked, but truth is, I lived my fairy tale 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.”
Davey gave up a career as a carpenter to take a chance on his dream with Parramatta in 2019.
He was seven months shy of being the NRL era’s oldest debutant when he played his first game at 28 the following season.
Davey went on to play 44 first-grade games that included stints with Manly and the Bulldogs, whom he left mid-year after failing to gel with new coach Cameron Ciraldo.
Recruit Kelma Tuilagi will add depth to the Eels’ back-row stocks with Shaun Lane, Ryan Matterson and Matt Doorey also options on an edge.
© AAP
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