Few clubs have had a bigger facelift than the Parramatta Eels over the summer – and boy did they need it.
After coming 15th with a strong squad and having the second-worst defensive record in the competition behind only the Wests Tigers, officials decided enough was enough.
Long-serving coach Brad Arthur was sent packing mid-season and his replacement, Jason Ryles, cut loose the Eels’ two most experienced players – fullback and skipper Clinton Gutherson and prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard.
Clinton Gutherson has made an impact early for the Dragons. Mark Metcalfe via Getty Images
Crowd favourite Maika Sivo has followed Arthur to Leeds, but his replacement Zac Lomax from the Dragons or Josh Addo-Carr from Canterbury should be top signings.
Fellow recruits Isaiah Iongi (Panthers) and Jack Williams (Sharks) should also bring plenty to the club, but there’s plenty of pressure on young Iongi, who will have to fill Gutherson’s role at the back.
Scoring points has never been a problem – they actually posted more last season than the Bulldogs and Knights, who both played finals footy – but Ryles will be looking for a huge improvement in defence after the team leaked closed to 30 points per game.
Halves pairing Mitchell Moses and Dylan Brown remain the Eels’ trump cards and there are few better playmaking combinations in the league.
Dylan Brown of the Eels. Getty
They were responsible for the high scores the team was able to post and gave the likes of Will Penisini and Bailey Simonsson time and space to work their moves.
There’s class aplenty in the forwards with the likes of Shaun Lane, J’maine Hopgood, Ryan Matterson and Junior Paulo all accomplished offloaders who can put teammates through holes in the line.
The hooking spot is a bit of a worry, with several contenders but no clear standout – and that could bite the Eels.
2025 gains
Zac Lomax (Dragons), Isaiah Iongi (Panthers), Dean Hawkins (Rabbitohs), Joash Papalii (Bulldogs), Jordan Samrani (Bulldogs), Jack Williams (Sharks), Kitione Kautoga (Bulldogs), Josh Addo-Carr (Bulldogs), Ronald Volkman (Dragons)
Zac Lomax during pre-season training with the Eels. Parramatta Eels
2025 losses
Ethan Sanders (Raiders), Blaize Talagi (Panthers), Reagan Campbell-Gillard (Titans), Maika Sivo (Leeds Rhinos), Clint Gutherson (Dragons), Daejarn Asi (Castleford), Ky Rodwell (Wakefield Trinity), Makahesi Makatoa (released), Morgan Harper (Warriors), Ofahiki Ogden (released), Tevita Taumoepenu (released), Zac Cini (Castleford)
Best buy:
Josh Addo-Carr remains one of the best wingers in the game and playing outside Moses and Brown, he could be the top tryscorer in the league if things go his way.
It’s a big season for:
With RCG gone, there’s extra pressure on the broad shoulders of Junior Paulo. He has the ability, but was quiet last season and needs to lift.
Biggest question mark: There’s no doubting Ryles has the cattle – it’s whether he can get the best out of them in his first season that is the question to be answered.
Parramatta head coach Jason Ryles. Getty
Predicted finish: 10th
Predicted 17 for round one: 1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Joash Papali’i 3. Zac Lomax 4. Will Penisini 5. Bailey Simonsson 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Junior Paulo 9. Joey Lussick 10. Joe Ofahengaue 11. Shaun Lane 12. Bryce Cartwright 13. J’maine Hopgood 14. Brendan Hands 15. Jack Williams 16. Ryan Matterson 17. Wiremu Greig
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