Davey is contracted until the end of next season but is understood to be resigned to the fact his NRL career is likely over and will put his long-term health first when making his decision. The Eels have made the NRL aware of Davey\u2019s predicament.<\/p>\n
Davey was knocked out against the Rabbitohs earlier in the year. The most recent concussion against the Broncos in round 24, attempting to tackle prop Keenan Palasia from the kick-off, resulted in him being helped from the field in a 54-10 shellacking.<\/p>\n
Davey, whose contract is partially being paid by the Bulldogs, did not return for the club\u2019s final two games of the season as a result of the heavy collision at the Gabba.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Eels forward Andrew Davey braces for contact against the Cowboys earlier in the year.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>Getty<\/cite><\/p>\n Davey has played 44 games across five seasons in the NRL spanning three clubs (Eels, Manly Sea Eagles and Bulldogs).<\/p>\n His pending retirement comes on the back of the decision from Josh Hodgson (neck injury) to finish his time in the sport with one year remaining on his contract.<\/p>\n Hodgson\u2019s final year at the club, like Davey, could be wiped from the salary cap next year if the NRL deems his neck injury career-ending.<\/p>\n The NRL will also have to decide whether the same dispensation will be afforded to the Eels when it comes to the concussions surrounding Davey.<\/p>\n Canterbury Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>Kate Geraghty<\/cite><\/p>\n Davey was in the headlines this week after launching an attack against his old club Canterbury, who released him during the year to link up with the Eels after falling out of favour.<\/p>\n \u201cThe way the Bulldogs went about things, I didn\u2019t like it,\u201d Davey told News Corp newspapers during the week.<\/p>\n \u201cIt wasn\u2019t a culture that I fitted in with and it wasn\u2019t the style of coaching that I resonated with. Players had concerns, but they weren\u2019t at panic stations. I had a couple of gripes, but I won\u2019t go into specifics. We weren\u2019t all pulling the same way.\u201d<\/p>\n Davey was also critical of the coaching philosophies of Ciraldo.<\/p>\n \u201cIt wasn\u2019t great with \u00adCameron,\u201d Davey said. \u201cIn the end, we didn\u2019t talk when I was leaving. It was very cold. I didn\u2019t get the ideology of the coaches. It wasn\u2019t a process that I\u2019d been \u00adaccustomed to.<\/p>\n \u201cI guess in every business there are \u00adpeople that don\u2019t always get along. You\u2019ve just got to go somewhere else where you\u2019re happy. And that\u2019s what I chose. It just wasn\u2019t my cup of tea, and a lot different to what I\u2019ve experienced at Manly and \u00adParramatta.\u201d<\/p>\n The Eels will now have a number of spots to fill in their roster next season and are looking to add depth in the back row and outside backs.<\/p>\n Stream the NRL Premiership 2023 live and free on <\/b>9Now<\/b>. <\/b><\/p>\n Sports news, results and expert commentary. <\/i><\/b>Sign up for our Sport newsletter<\/i><\/b>.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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