Joe Ofahengaue has been granted an early release from his contract with the Wests Tigers.
The former QLD Maroons lock has now joined the Parramatta Eels in a mid-season deal with immediate effect.
Ofahengaue was signed on at Concord until the end of 2025 and also won the club's Player of the Year award last season, but the new coaching duo of Tim Sheens and Benji Marshall have begun looking in a new direction.
The 28-year-old has been limited to less than 40 minutes per game this season and even spent time out of the first-grade lineup for the Tigers, despite signing a long-term extension with the club less than a year ago.
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“Joe is a timely addition to the Eels’ squad, considering the injury status of some of our key forwards," Eels head of football Mark O’Neill said.
“His power game will suit our style of football, his NRL and Origin experience will be valuable for some of our emerging forwards and his character will be great for the overall culture of the club.
"We all look forward to welcoming him and his family to the club."
Prior to the announcement of Ofahengaue's immediate arrival, Eels coach Brad Arthur said the club were continually looking to bolster their playing squad.
“He’s a big body through the middle third of the field and carries the ball hard," Arthur said.
“We lost a lot of forwards last year and still haven’t really replaced those guys yet.
“Our recruitment guys are always looking at how we can strengthen our roster. We’ve said for the past couple of months that we’ve got a couple of spots to fill. They are talking to lots of different players.
With over 150 games of first-grade experience across stints at both the Broncos and Tigers, Ofahengaue will add experience to a forward pack that lost the likes of Isaiah Papali'i, Marata Niukore and Oregon Kaufusi prior to 2023.
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Wests Tigers also released a statement confirming the news and thanked Ofahengaue for his services.
“Joe is a very well-liked player and very well respected," Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe said.
“This is an opportunity that works for both parties.
“We wish Joe and his family all the best with their future and thank Joe for his efforts over the past two and a half seasons.”
Joe Ofahengaue 2023 season stats
| Games | 9 |
| Tries | 1 |
| Tackle Breaks | 15 |
| Offloads | 4 |
| Avg. Run Metres | 95m |
Wests Tigers off-contract list
| 2023 | Alex Seyfarth, Apisalome Saukuru, Brandon Wakeham, Charlie Staines, Daine Laurie, Luke Brooks, Tommy Talau, Tukimihia Simpkins |
| 2024 | Adam Doueihi, Alex Twal, Api Koroisau (MO), Brandon Tumeth (PO), Jake Simpkin, Junior Tupou, Justin Matamua (CO), Rua Ngatikaura, Shawn Blore, Sione Fainu, Starford To'a, Stefano Utoikamanu (MO), Triston Reilly, Brandon Mansfield-Webster |
| 2025 | Brent Naden, David Klemmer (MO), David Nofoaluma, Fonua Pole, Isaiah Papali'i, Jahream Bula, Josh Feledy |
| 2026 | John Bateman |
Parramatta Eels off-contract list
| 2023 | Bailey Simonsson (MO), Bryce Cartwright, Daejarn Asi (MO), Josh Hodgson (MO), Matt Doorey (MO), Mitch Rein, Ofahiki Ogden (CO), Samuel Loizou, Waqa Blake, Wiremu Greig |
| 2024 | Andrew Davey, Haze Dunster (MO), Jack Murchie, Jake Arthur, Jirah Momoisea, Ky Rodwell, Makahesi Makatoa, Blaize Talagi (PO), Jabriel Kalache, Zac Cini |
| 2025 | Clint Gutherson, Dylan Brown (PO), J'maine Hopgood, Maika Sivo, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Ryan Matterson (PO), Sean Russell, Shaun Lane (MO), Will Penisini, Toni Mataele |
| 2026 | Junior Paulo |
