Brutal run could put Benji in firing line; Ryles’ big Eels boost — NRL Draw Winners and Losers
Fox analysis
WINNERS - Parramatta Eels
EELS
The Eels have a much softer draw than years gone by, but the start of their season is a tough one with games against the Storm and Broncos kicking off their season
Those two fixtures, away, are historically incredibly difficult - but Parramatta are expected to be a much-improved side in 2026.
They won in their last outing against Brisbane and it was a tight affair when they faced Melbourne in Round 22.
If they can get through those games, and a Round 4 fixture against the Panthers, and be competitive Jason Ryles’ side has a huge opportunity to kick on.
But it’s equally a double-edged sword — an early-season slump could seriously hurt their finals chances in a sink or swim scenario.
In some positives, they also have 13 games at CommBank Stadium and leave NSW five times, and only once after Magic Round in Round 11.
If the Eels sit in and around the top eight to close out the year, they also have a golden opportunity with a soft run home.
They face the Tigers, Rabbitohs, Cowboys, Dolphins, Sharks and Dragons, with their only travel being a trip to North Queensland in Round 24
Games vs top four: 6
Games vs outside eight: 13
Games vs bottom four: 6
Fixture difficulty: 7th
Pros: The Eels play 13 games at their home ground of Commbank Stadium in 2026. Remarkably, they play just four games outside of NSW all year and just three after Round 1 against Melbourne. They also have a relatively soft run home with a bye in Round 20 followed by clashes with the Panthers, Tigers, Rabbitohs, Cowboys, Dolphins, Sharks and Dragons, which will help their finals push. In addition, the Panthers, Bulldogs and Storm are the only top-eight teams from 2025 that they play twice.
Cons: The Eels will have to play in two games impacted by Origin against the Raiders and the Sea Eagles. They don’t get their first bye until Round 12 too, which means they play 11 games straight to start the season. It will be tough to bank wins early with clashes against the Storm, Broncos and Panthers in the first month.
Replies
And no game in Darwin. That will help them.
Chief change the four games outside our state to 5 before Poppa sees it.
Poppa told me he was a teacher before his pawn star antics
Poppa taught so long ago, his school bell was just two rocks he banged together.
Those two rocks my son were your ballls, I was trying to get them to drop!
Lol. Nice comeback popo. I'll pay that
I don't really buy into this easy draw idea. Those first 11 games could be pretty brutal, and losses to teams we would expect to beat could end our season by the time we get our first bye. At least the team knows now that they have to start the season firing, which is very different from what we have seen in past seasons. If we are good enough to be in the top 8 by then, we would expect to win most of the remaining games.
Well Longfin as I have always stated, no such thing as a fair draw as you don't know what teams are good or not until the season starts. What could look like a bad draw could be decent based on the teams.
Raiders had an ok draw in 2024, their performances led to it being a great draw.
Some key aspects of the draw.
Thursday night 2 home 2 away
Friday 2 away
Saturday 4 home 4 away
Sunday 5 home 3 away
Monday 1 home 1 away
5 day turnaround 1
6 day turnaround 7
7 day turnaround 5
8 day turnaround 1
9 day turnaround 3
10 day turnaround 3, i did not take do a turnaround for byes.
We only play 2 teams coming off their bye, the knights in round 13 but we are also coming off ourselves and the roosters round 19 and we have a 6 day turnaround around that week.
Overall this is a very good draw for the eels apart from the extremely difficult start.
Edit. Some additional info
Origin 1 we have the bye, play knights week after.
Origin 2 we play raiders, bye week after
Origin 3 we play manly, roosters week after with a 6 day turnaround and roosters coming off bye, this is going to he a very tough one.
To be the best we can be we need to play the best. That will let us know what we are capable of and if JR's coaching approach is suitable. There are no soft draws/hard draws. Canberra last year was everyone's favourite for the spoon. They beat the best . The Eels can be the smokey, look at our last third of the season and the improvement.
Yeah, the draw doesn't matter if you're good enough