Fans and fellow NRL players are congratulating Joey Lussick on his career after the former Parramatta Eels and St Helens player announced his retirement at age 30. Lussick played 149 first-grade games across stints in Australia and England, and won the Super League premiership with St Helens in 2022.
He was then part of the Saints team that famously upset the NRL champion Penrith Panthers to win the World Club Challenge in 2023. It denied the Panthers the only major trophy they’ve never managed to get their hands on.
Joey Lussick played for Parramatta and St Helens and won a Super League premiership and World Club Challenge. Image: Getty
Lussick wrote on Instagram on Sunday night: “Rugby League ……. It’s been an absolute pleasure.” The 30-year-old shared a series of photos, including a number with NRL-playing brothers Darcy and Freddy.
Darcy Lussick played 169 games – mostly for Parramatta and Manly – while Freddy has played 50 games across stints with the Roosters, Dragons and Warriors. Freddy is now the only brother still playing after Joey announced his retirement on Sunday night. Joey also shared a number of photos of his premiership triumph in 2022 and the famous World Club Challenge victory in 2023.
Joey Lussick in action for the Eels in 2024. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)
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Joey Lussick was part of the St Helens team that won the Super League premiership in 2022. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
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The hooker started his career with one game at the Sea Eagles in 2017 before moving to England and playing for Salford from 2018 to 2020. He played nine games for Parramatta in 2021 and another 28 from 2023 to 2025 after another stint in England with St Helens.
Lussick featured in 52 games for St Helens, scoring 11 tries during their successful reign. He managed to snare a starting spot at the Eels after moving back to Australia in 2023, but his playing time had dried up in 2025.
Fellow NRL players pay tribute to Joey Lussick
On social media, fans and a number of NRL stars responded to his retirement announcement. Brother Darcy wrote: “Toughest part of career living with me in UK for a year.” Curtis Sironen wrote: “Congrats legend! Snitzel pasta combos still undefeated. Well done my friend on your career.”
Jackson Hastings commented: “What a career my man. Loved playing with you.” While former Parramatta teammates Josh Addo-Carr, Clint Gutherson, Bailey Simonsson, J’maine Hopgood and Ryley Smith all paid tribute.