Eels appoint new chief executive on same day they announce Spencer Leniu deal
Adrian Proszenko
Adrian Proszenko
October 8, 2026 — 8:19pm
Parramatta have appointed respected Super League administrator Mike Rush as the club’s new chief executive.
The Eels have settled on a replacement for Jim Sarantinos, who stepped down after a decade at the club.
Spencer Leniu has joined the Eels after winning his fourth NRL premiership.
Spencer Leniu has joined the Eels after winning his fourth NRL premiership.Getty Images
It caps a big news day for Parramatta, who trumpeted the signing of Spencer Leniu on a four-year deal. The four-time premiership winner will leave the Roosters on a winning note after playing arguably his best game for the Tricolours in the grand final win over Newcastle on Sunday.
“We’re thrilled to have Spencer join the Parramatta Eels and become part of what we’re building at this club,” Eels general manager of football Mark O’Neill said. “He’s one of the elite middle forwards in the game and has consistently performed on the biggest stages throughout his career.
Apart from an open cheque book, what else could we offer him really? He would be mad to leave Penrith. Though, yes hindsight might differ, but i like Rush's appointment as it is outside the box as opposed to just going for the best in name in the NRL. Not saying i wouldn't want Cameron, but no guarentees Cameron works with us. Neither is there a guarentee on Rush, but someone different at least.
So are we looking at both POS and Anderson? That would be a doozy of a recruitment team. Also, surely the committee is now dead in the water, what held back so many deals and wasted so much time in negotiations is more likely now gone.
With Rush now in, hopefully added with POS and/or Anderson added with MON who is there for time being at least. Could see a nice tendom in place. It makes sense that MON stays, for now at least, Rush sees how things go and if we get POS and/or Anderson they will have their opinions of MON after some time and he has a chance to show his worth or Rush will bring his own man in. But for some continuity with current deals to be done still and targets etc, it makes sense, for now, that MON stays. Not saying if he was moved on i would be upset, i wouldn't be, but i can understand why Rush and the board keep MON on.
"Tuivaiti is going through what kaufusi went through when thrown in.Concussion issues early for all the bravado talked about on here in what we need guess what we still need Jnr and and we need more outside yardage back 5 help which takes heat off…"
"For the right price, yes. I think he should be coming off the bench. We are really light on experienced middle forwards. As good as Sam Tuivaiti has been since his debut, he's also had injury troubles. You'd also have Doorey and Hopgood both coming…"
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SportNRLNRL 2026
Eels appoint new chief executive on same day they announce Spencer Leniu deal
Adrian Proszenko
Adrian Proszenko
October 8, 2026 — 8:19pm
Parramatta have appointed respected Super League administrator Mike Rush as the club’s new chief executive.
The Eels have settled on a replacement for Jim Sarantinos, who stepped down after a decade at the club.
Spencer Leniu has joined the Eels after winning his fourth NRL premiership.
Spencer Leniu has joined the Eels after winning his fourth NRL premiership.Getty Images
It caps a big news day for Parramatta, who trumpeted the signing of Spencer Leniu on a four-year deal. The four-time premiership winner will leave the Roosters on a winning note after playing arguably his best game for the Tricolours in the grand final win over Newcastle on Sunday.
“We’re thrilled to have Spencer join the Parramatta Eels and become part of what we’re building at this club,” Eels general manager of football Mark O’Neill said. “He’s one of the elite middle forwards in the game and has consistently performed on the biggest stages throughout his career.
Same as Mike Hawk.
Apparently we coudlnt convince Matt Camerson
Apart from an open cheque book, what else could we offer him really? He would be mad to leave Penrith. Though, yes hindsight might differ, but i like Rush's appointment as it is outside the box as opposed to just going for the best in name in the NRL. Not saying i wouldn't want Cameron, but no guarentees Cameron works with us. Neither is there a guarentee on Rush, but someone different at least.
Yea not sure what it would like for Cameron to leave
Only other thing would be the ego of "I broke the drought"
Cameron wants to be there for the transition from Cleary to Wallace.
So are we looking at both POS and Anderson? That would be a doozy of a recruitment team. Also, surely the committee is now dead in the water, what held back so many deals and wasted so much time in negotiations is more likely now gone.
With Rush now in, hopefully added with POS and/or Anderson added with MON who is there for time being at least. Could see a nice tendom in place. It makes sense that MON stays, for now at least, Rush sees how things go and if we get POS and/or Anderson they will have their opinions of MON after some time and he has a chance to show his worth or Rush will bring his own man in. But for some continuity with current deals to be done still and targets etc, it makes sense, for now, that MON stays. Not saying if he was moved on i would be upset, i wouldn't be, but i can understand why Rush and the board keep MON on.
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