The Parramatta Eels have bid farewell to five NRL players who will depart the club ahead of the 2024 season.
The Eels bid goodbye to Andrew Davey, Josh Hodgson, and Jack Murchie, despite the fact that their departures were previously confirmed.
Both Davey and Hodgson have declared their retirement from rugby league, while Murchie has secured a long-term contract with the Huddersfield Giants in the Super League.
The Eels have also announced the signings of winger Samuel Loizou and outside back Waqa Blak.
will be leaving the club and will not be on the roster for the 2024 NRL season.
Loizou is a local kid who has worked his way up via the Eels’ Elite Pathways Program. The winger made one first-grade appearance and spent three seasons with the NRL squad.
His first and only NRL appearance occurred in Round 25, 2021, against the Penrith Panthers, in a 6-40 loss for the Eels.
Waqa Blake, who signed with the Parramatta Eels on a reputed $650,000 per season contract, is the other departure.
Blake played for the Eels for four and a half seasons, making 77 NRL matches and scoring 28 tries during that time, including a game in the 2022 NRL Grand Final.
According to the AAP, Blake has spoken with the Western Force of Super Rugby and is considering a move to rugby union.
The 28-year-old is said to have choices in both Australia and abroad. However, the most likely outcome is that he will remain in Australia.
Earlier this year, it was claimed that Blake approached Rugby Australia and offered his services.
“I don’t know if Waqa Blake is necessarily on that hit-list, but he has been offered to Eddie Jones and rugby union,” Danny Weidler stated earlier this year on 100% Footy in April.
“There’s been a lot of speculation about his future at Parramatta, and the club is looking for X-factor players, with Clint Gutherson being moved to the centres as a result of his injury.”
“I don’t know if Waqa Blake is necessarily on that hit-list, but he has been offered to Eddie Jones and rugby union,” Danny Weidler stated earlier this year on 100% Footy in April.
“There’s been a lot of talk about his future at Parramatta, and Parramatta is looking for X-factor playwsers with Clint Gutherson being moved to the centres because its centres aren’t strong.”
“Well, it appears that maybe Waqa Blake is reading that information, and there has been a reach-out by his management to Eddie Jones.”
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