The Eels had to prove they weren’t perennial finals flops last year, and now it’s about silencing several critics who have declared their premiership window closed. 

Parramatta made their first grand final in 13 years last year, but key players have left and questions are being asked of their premiership credentials in 2023. 

“I don’t think Parra will do much this year, I think last year was their chance. Someone has to drop out and I think it might be them,” Bryan Fletcher told foxsports.com.au.

The Eels have retained star halves pairing Mitchell Moses and Dylan Brown on long-term deals, but their forwards depth has been depleted. 

The departures of Reed Mahoney (Bulldogs), Isaiah Papali’i (Wests Tigers), Marata Niukore (Warriors), Oregon Kaufusi (Sharks) and Ray Stone (Dolphins) have left some big holes in the pack. Nathan Brown is also expected to leave and Brad Arthur’s men will face further struggles in the opening rounds without Shaun Lane (jaw) and Ryan Matterson (suspended). 

“Losing Lane hurts. There’s a few teams this year that are really good teams but with a few injuries could find themselves in trouble quick - and I think Parra is one of them,” Braith Anasta said.

“Losing a leader like Lane at the start of the year is tough because getting that momentum early to take the pressure off your team is really important. 

“If you don’t start fast the drums start beating and things can get negative real quick.” 

Parramatta have gained forwards Josh Hodgson (Raiders), J’maine Hopgood (Panthers), Jirah Momoisea (Knights), Jack Murchie (Warriors). But skipper Junior Paulo believes their success will ride on the back of Moses who he has tipped to win the Dally M Medal. 

Anasta emphasised Moses will have to go very close to claiming the top gong if the Eels are any chance of ending its 37-year title drought. 

Moses, who has until April 1 to activate his option for 2024, will earn $1.25 million a season under his new Eels contract — making him one of the highest-paid players in the NRL. 

It falls just short of the Tigers’ four-year offer which was said to be $1.3 million a season. 

“Re-signing Mitch is massive because I know for a fact the temptation at the Tigers would have been huge because they had a budget to go for him,” Anasta said. 

“So for him to knock back his old club and his old teammate in Brooksy and the potential to earn more money there is huge for Parramatta because they need him. 

“He’s everything to them, if they’re any chance of winning a premiership in the next couple of years it’s because of Mitch Moses, it’s a big scalp.” 

STRENGTH

Forward pack. On paper the Eels have one of the best and deepest forward packs in the competition, even allowing for the key departures of starters Isaiah Papali’i and Reed Mahoney. Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Junior Paulo are one of the best prop pairings in the game and the Eels’ built their grand final charge on their platform up front in 2022. The club have recruited well in bringing in Josh Hodgson at hooker and J’maine Hopgood, Jirah Momoisea and Jack Murchie to give the side depth in the pack should injuries strike. Shaun Lane and Ryan Matterson are coming off their best seasons in first grade and will push for Origin selection in 2023. Nathan Brown fell out of favour last year and has been tipped to switch to the Tigers, but at his best he is an excellent player and worthy of a spot in the 17. Between their recruits and regular first graders Makahesi Makatoa and Bryce Cartwright as well as promising young gun Ky Rodwell, the Eels have one of the deepest forward packs in the NRL.

WHO’S UNDER PRESSURE

Josh Hodgson. Hodgson has done it all in the game, but he has only averaged 10 games a season since the 2019 grand final after a series of injury setbacks that threatened early retirement. The 33-year-old has impressed since arriving at the Eels, but his two year deal is only guaranteed for 2023 and the pressure will be on him to prove to the club he is worth investing in beyond this season. Hodgson is also filling the void left by one of the club’s stars in Bulldogs recruit Reed Mahoney. With over 300 appearances across the NRL and Super League as well as 23 Test matches, Hodgson has the experience to help the Eels. But time will tell if his body allows him to make the impact both he and the club are hoping for to keep them in title contention. Adding to the pressure on Hodgson is that the Eels are light on for back-up at No.9 with Mitch Rein and halfback Jacob Arthur their only real options if Hodgson goes down.

THE RISING STAR

J’maine Hopgood. 2023 recruit Hopgood comes to the Eels from arch rivals the Panthers with just 10 NRL games experience since his debut in 2021. However, Hopgood is highly regarded and would have played a lot more first grade were he not stuck behind Panthers skipper Isaah Yeo. The 23-year-old lock is eyeing a starting role at the Eels after the departure of Isaiah Papali’i and at the very least should nab a spot on the bench. Eels skipper Clint Gutherson is expecting big things from Hopgood in his first year at the club. “I think J’maine Hopgood across from Penrith is going to be massive for us,” Gutherson told foxsports.com.au. “He got a few games in the last couple of years and coming form a winning culture at Penrith he just brings what it takes to win. He works hard. He runs hard. He plays tough and that’s what we need in this team is a tough player to go after the game and I think he is in for a breakthrough season.”

THE UNLUCKY ONES

Bailey Simonsson, Bryce Cartwright, Jirah Momoisea and Jack Murchie. Simonsson finished last season strongly in the centres, but he could be squeezed out after the return of Haze Dunster from injury on the wing, which could push Waqa Blake back to the centres. Given his impressive showings last year, Simonsson could well hold his place in the centres, but if Blake can get his defence right he offers more in attack and the former Raiders star could be the unlucky man out. Bryce Cartwright has found himself in and out of the side last season and may struggle for a bench spot in 2023. Former Knights forward Momoisea and Warriors counterpart Murchie have impressed since joining the club, but given the strength of the Eels’ pack, they may find it difficult to force their way into the forwards rotation.

IT’S A BIG YEAR FOR

Mitchell Moses. The pressure has been on Mitchell Moses for the majority of his career at the Eels because the club haven’t won a premiership since Peter Sterling led the team to their fourth title in 1986. However, Moses takes on more than the pressure of history in 2023 after the departure of some key players, including hooker Reed Mahoney. Mahoney took so much pressure off Moses with his kicking and running games and his slick service out of dummyhalf. While Josh Hodson is an excellent replacement there will be growing pains. Moses is also coming into a contract year and is caught in a tug of war between the Eels, Tigers and Bulldogs for his signature. Whether that proves a distraction even after he decides his future remains to be seen, but even if he commits to the Eels on a big money extension the pressure will be squarely on him to deliver the club and their long-suffering fans the premiership they desperately crave.

PREDICTED FINISH

7th