The Parramatta Eels today farewell the five NRL players departing the Club with the conclusion of the 2023 season.
Waqa Blake departs the Parramatta Eels following four-and-a-half seasons with the Club. The outside back made 77 NRL appearances for the Eels, including the 2022 Grand Final, and scored 28 tries in Blue & Gold.
He is currently representing Fiji at the Pacific Championships, and is set to appear alongside Maika Sivo in this week’s tournament final against Papua New Guinea.
Andrew Davey retires from rugby league with 44 NRL appearances to his name. The hard-working forward earned his debut with the Eels at 28 years of age, after quitting his full-time job as a carpenter in Queensland to pursue his NRL dream.
He also represented the Manly Sea Eagles and Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in the NRL, before returning to Parramatta for his final 12 first grade matches.
Samuel Loizou (#823)
Local junior Samuel Loizou departs the Eels having progressed through the Club’s Elite Pathways Program.
Loizou joined the Eels as a teenager before spending three seasons with the NRL squad and making his first grade debut in 2021.
Josh Hodgson (#828)
Josh Hodgson retires from rugby league following a wonderful, 286-game career across the NRL and Super League. The English hooker appeared for Hull FC, Hull KR, Canberra Raiders and Parramatta Eels at the elite level, played in the 2019 NRL Grand Final, and represented England and Great Britain on 23 occasions.
Hodgson will remain with the Eels following his retirement, as he moves into an Elite Pathways coaching role.
Jack Murchie (#832)
Jack Murchie moves on from the NRL after making 44 first grade appearances for the Canberra Raiders, New Zealand Warriors and Parramatta Eels. He joined the Eels at the beginning of 2023 and made five appearances for the Club.
The second-rower will move to England after securing a long-term contract with Super League side Huddersfield.
The Eels wish to thank Waqa, Andrew, Samuel, Josh and Jack for their service to the Club and wish them all the best.
The Eels’ 2024 squad is set to commence NRL pre-season training next week.
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