The only way is up for Parramatta after finishing last in 2018.
Five-eighth Corey Norman has departed the club but there are a number of exciting youngsters lining up to fill his boots.
Mitch Moses is still among the best halves in the NRL on his day and shapes as the man to lead Parramatta out of the cellar
Boom teenage playmaker Dylan Brown - who the Warriors tried to poach in November - could force his way into first grade as Moses' partner.
Blake Ferguson is a fantastic buy and will help the Eels make yardage out of their own end.
The winger is a master of the tough carry and topped the competition for run metres last season.
Shaun Lane is another adept signing who will add starch to Parramatta's second-row.
Massive prop Junior Paulo returns to the club from Canberra and will form part of a solid forward pack including Nathan Brown, Manu Ma'u, Peni Terepo and Tim Mannah.
Outside back Jarryd Hayne was not retained by Parramatta due to salary cap constraints and Hayne's legal dramas.
It's worth remembering that only two years the Eels finished fourth and looked capable of challenging for the title.
Brad Arthur is such a respected coach for a reason and won't tolerate another sub-par season.
PARRAMATTA EELS' PRE-SEASON NEWS
The Eels' pre-season started with a circus surrounding Jarryd Hayne.
The 2009 Dally M Medallist wasn't re-signed by the time Parramatta started training, prompting constant media attention regarding his future.
While the club maintained they wanted to keep Hayne, they were struggling to find room for the star under the salary cap.
The Eels withdrew interest when Hayne was charged with aggravated sexual assault in November.
Corey Norman was released to the St George Illawarra Dragons in December after months of speculation that Parramatta were shopping him around.
Young pivot Jaeman Salmon was involved in a car crash in October in which his vehicle flipped on its roof.
He was subsequently convicted of low-range drink-driving and disqualified from driving for six months.
PARRAMATTA EELS' 30-MAN NRL SQUAD
Parramatta have three spots remaining in their top 30.
They've got until March 1 to register a further two players, with the full squad required to be finalised by June 30.
Dylan Brown, Reed Mahoney and Stefano Utoikamanu are named as development players.
They can be elevated to the top squad before June 30.
Veteran forward Beau Scott has retired, so too centre Kirisome Auva'a.
Hooker Cameron King headed to the UK after the Eels chose not to re-sign him.
Player | Date of Birth | Height, weight | Position | NRL matches | Rep honours | |
1 | Andrew Davey | 29/11/1991 | 195cm, 106kg | Second-row | 0 | Nil |
2 | Bevan French | 4/1/1996 | 181cm, 83kg | Fullback/Wing | 47 | Indigenous All Stars |
3 | Blake Ferguson | 20/3/1990 | 191cm, 101kg | Wing/Centre | 192 | Australia, NSW, Indig. All Stars, Country Origin, PMXIII |
4 | Brad Takairangi | 14/6/1989 | 194cm, 108kg | Centre/Second-row | 145 | New Zealand, Cook Islands |
5 | Clinton Gutherson (co-captain) | 9/11/1994 | 190cm, 94kg | Fullback/Centre/Five-eighth | 66 | City Origin |
6 | Daniel Alvaro | 28/5/1993 | 190cm, 108kg | Prop | 19 | Italy, Country Origin |
7 | David Gower | 30/11/1985 | 190cm, 105kg | Second-row | 102 | City Origin |
8 | George Jennings | 9/6/1993 | 185cm, 94kg | Wing | 25 | Tonga |
9 | Gregory Leleisiuao | 4/4/1997 | 180cm, 99kg | Wing | 0 | Nil |
10 | Jaeman Salmon | 4/1/1999 | 186cm, 92kg | Five-eighth | 5 | Nil |
11 | Josh Hoffman | 10/3/1988 | 183cm, 89kg | Fullback | 179 | New Zealand, Indigenous All Stars |
12 | Junior Paulo | 20/11/1993 | 188cm, 123kg | Prop | 88 | Samoa |
13 | Kane Evans | 9/1/1992 | 199cm, 110kg | Prop | 82 | Fiji, World All Stars, City Origin |
14 | Kaysa Pritchard | 5/5/1994 | 175cm, 88kg | Hooker | 47 | Samoa |
15 | Maika Sivo | 3/10/1993 | 186cm, 105kg | Wing | 0 | Nil |
16 | Manu Ma'u | 24/8/1988 | 184cm, 103kg | Second-row | 95 | New Zealand, Tonga |
17 | Marata Niukore | 29/7/1996 | 188cm, 102kg | Second-row | 14 | Cook Islands |
18 | Michael Jennings | 20/4/1988 | 180cm, 96kg | Centre | 259 | Australia, Tonga, NSW, NRL All Stars, City Origin, PMXIII |
19 | Mitchell Moses | 16/9/1994 | 182cm, 85kg | Five-eighth | 105 | Lebanon, World All Stars, PMXIII |
20 | Nathan Brown | 1/3/1993 | 185cm, 107kg | Prop | 69 | Italy, City Origin |
21 | Oregon Kaufusi | 20/8/1999 | (Not listed) | Prop | 2 | Nil |
22 | Peni Terepo | 21/11/1991 | 186cm, 106kg | Prop | 101 | Tonga |
23 | Raymond Stone | 6/6/1997 | 180cm, 95kg | Lock | 1 | Nil |
24 | Shaun Lane | 29/11/1994 | 198cm, 110kg | Second-row | 48 | Nil |
25 | Tepai Moeroa | 2/10/1995 | 190cm, 112kg | Second-row | 90 | World All Stars, PMXIII |
26 | Tim Mannah (co-captain) | 15/2/1988 | 184cm, 110kg | Prop | 223 | Lebanon, NSW, City Origin, PMXIII |
27 | William Smith | 3/7/1992 | 178cm, 84kg | Fullback | 48 | Indig. All Stars |
28 | TBC | - | - | - | - | - |
29 | TBC | - | - | - | - | - |
30 | TBC | - | - | - | - | - |
Additions: Junior Paulo (Canberra Raiders), Blake Ferguson (Sydney Roosters), Shaun Lane (Manly Sea Eagles), Andrew Davey (Townsville Blackhawks), Maika Sivo (Penrith Panthers), Oregon Kaufusi, Raymond Stone
Losses: Beau Scott (retired), Kirisome Auva'a (retired), Cam King (Featherstone Rovers), Jack Morris (unsigned), Jarryd Hayne (unsigned), Nathan Davis (unsigned), Siosaia Vave (unsigned), Tony Williams (unsigned)
Re-signed: Daniel Alvaro (2019), Nathan Brown (2021), David Gower (2019), George Jennings (2019), Kaysa Pritchard (2019), Will Smith (2020), Peni Terepo (2019)
Off-contract beyond 2019: Daniel Alvaro, Andrew Davey, Bevan French, David Gower, Clinton Gutherson, Josh Hoffman, George Jennings, Greg Leleisiuao, Manu Ma'u, Reed Mahoney, Tim Mannah, Tepai Moeroa, Mitchell Moses, Kaysa Pritchard, Brad Takairangi, Peni Terepo, Stefano Utoikamanu
PARRAMATTA EELS' BETTING ODDS
At $34 (via TAB on 19/1/19), the Eels are 13th in the betting to win the 2019 premiership. It would be their first title since 1986.
Fullback and co-captain Clint Gutherson is rated as Parra's best chance of taking out the Dally M Medal, coming in at $51.
The Eels are $4 to make the top eight, $7.50 to finish in the top four and $6 to suffer the most losses.
PARRAMATTA EELS' 2019 DRAW
Games played on
Thursday: 2
Friday: 5
Saturday: 8
Sunday: 8
Monday: 1
Teams they play twice
Penrith Panthers, Canterbury Bulldogs, Cronulla Sharks, Canberra Raiders, Wests Tigers, Newcastle Knights, St George Illawarra Dragons, Brisbane Broncos, Manly Sea Eagles
Round | Date | Opponent | Venue |
1 | Sunday 17 March 4:05pm | Penrith Panthers | Panthers Stadium |
2 | Sunday 24 March 4:05pm | Canterbury Bulldogs | ANZ Stadium |
3 | Friday 29 March 7:55pm | Sydney Roosters | ANZ Stadium |
4 | Saturday 6 April 7:35pm | Cronulla Sharks | ANZ Stadium |
5 | Sunday 14 April 6:10pm | Canberra Raiders | GIO Stadium |
6 | Monday 22 April 4:00pm | Wests Tigers | Bankwest Stadium |
7 | Sunday 28 April 4:05pm | Newcastle Knights | McDonald Jones Stadium |
8 | Sunday 5 May 4:05pm | St George Illawarra Dragons | Bankwest Stadium |
9 | Saturday 11 May 7:35pm | Melbourne Storm | Suncorp Stadium |
10 | Saturday 18 May 5:30pm | North Queensland Cowboys | 1300SMILES Stadium |
11 | Thursday 23 May 7:50pm | Penrith Panthers | Bankwest Stadium |
12 | Friday 31 May 7:55pm | South Sydney Rabbitohs | Bankwest Stadium |
13 | Saturday 8 June 5:30pm | Cronulla Sharks | Shark Park |
14 | Saturday 15 June 7:35pm | Brisbane Broncos | Bankwest Stadium |
15 | Saturday 29 June 7:35pm | Canberra Raiders | TIO Stadium |
16 | BYE | - | - |
17 | Sunday 14 July 4:05pm | Wests Tigers | Bankwest Stadium |
18 | Sunday 21 July 4:05pm | Manly Sea Eagles | Lottoland |
19 | Saturday 27 July 3:00pm | New Zealand Warriors | Bankwest Stadium |
20 | Sunday 4 August 4:05pm | St George Illawarra | Jubilee Stadium |
21 | Saturday 10 August 5:30pm | Newcastle Knights | Bankwest Stadium |
22 | Friday 16 August 6:00pm | Gold Coast Titans | Cbus Super Stadium |
23 | Thursday 22 August 7:50pm | Canterbury Bulldogs | Bankwest Stadium |
24 | Friday 30 August 7:55pm | Brisbane Broncos | Suncorp Stadium |
25 | Friday 6 September 6:00pm | Manly Sea Eagles | Bankwest Stadium |
It's a big year for...
Mitch Moses.
After a stellar 2017 and a promising World Cup campaign for Lebanon under the guidance of Brad Fittler, Moses entered last season among the contenders for the NSW halfback position.
Moses finished the year surrounded by rumours that Parramatta were attempting to offload him to another club, so average was his form.
At his peak, Moses is in a class of his own for creativity and playmaking skill.
But at his worst, the 24-year-old is barely sighted on the field and fails to take any control of his side's attack.
With Corey Norman gone, Moses will be given more responsibility in 2019.
If he uses that to his advantage and fires again, expect the Eels to rocket back up the ladder.
MEMBERSHIP AND TICKETING
As of 15/1/19, the Eels had 19,718 members committed for the 2019 season - over 3,000 more than the same time 12 months prior (16,414).
Parramatta finished with 25,145 members in 2018.
Membership packages can be viewed here.
General tickets for the season are not yet available, aside from Magic Round in Brisbane (NRL round nine), during which all 16 NRL clubs play at Suncorp Stadium on the same weekend.
The Eels' Magic Round clash is against the Melbourne Storm on Saturday, 11 May.
Tickets for the four-day event can be viewed here.
Replies
Thanks Pou, seems definitive, hopefully will inspire him to perform well this season
Good blog Colin. Good to read something that is not an opinion piece. I think that his list comes from the original 28 issued by the club minus Norman
What is interesting for me is that we only play last years GF teams once. What is not so good is our home game against the Storm will be played at Suncorp.
Those looking for a physically large squad this year seem to have got their wish
I predict the Eels to make the top 8 in 2019. Mitch Moses & Dylan Brown to blend together well in the halves and the Eels forwards will be much improved in 2019.
Loving the optimism MontoEel. If we play to the best of our potential, or close to it, we will.
Also thanks Colin for the blog and sharing.
Fella's thanks for the thanks with posting this blog, after reading it on the web thought for a change that a neutral like blog may be good and a lead in to this coming season. Thing is that there are some home truths in what is said that no one can deny, yet it does provide hope but also a nice summary for the eels season going forward.
Personally, I see this season as a real bridge building one, and that means no spoon with the likely end falling just outside the 8, we could make the 8 with a decent go from the refs and all players pulling together and up to their abilities, many are not doubt on their last year with the eels given their ages.
There is talk of reduced interchange for 2020, I am not sure that it will go ahead as the game is getting harder and teams have been suffering more injuries then in the past, something the NRL, along with medico's will need to watch carefully. If they go ahead with the reduction we will see a dramatic change in players and their sizes, the forwards are likely to have more light weight players capable of playing longer minuted, while the backs are likely going to be a bit bigger as they will need to take over some of the forwards work as they interchange with each other.
If anything they may allow 2 interchanges outside the bench 4 for hurt players who are assesed as not being able to continue as injury replacements. One forward and one back but both can be used in injury cases and play in the spot of the lost player.
Tad, I don't think making changes to suit smaller players would really work and provide help for them on the field, its a matter for them to be coached and trained right, injuries can be covered by the clever players, no better example than Cronk last years GF, but not all have his smarts.
What I believe is really needed outside of injured player replacements already mentioned, is for greater scrutiny by the refs and more so by the match review committee in picking up suspect and dangerous tackles. Its one thing to be put on report but if the incident puts an opposition player out of the match, and the offending player stays on the field then that needs changing.
I would like something like the old rules that had replacement players on the bench and used to be 2, but they had to have played at least a full half of football in the previous match, eg reserve grade a full 35 or 40 minutes of the first half. Usually they only came on for injuries in the first half of the first grade or in the second half to give another play time out. How that could be done when so many games only have one team on the day, which should be changed to at least have Flegg or ISP as a lead game, allowing say 2 train on players in the 31-35 quota to be bench replacements for injured NRL players who do not return.
As far as forward passes are concerned, why can't the linesmen see them and raise their flags, but we saw one last season where the touchie had his flag raised but was ignored???? and a try scored as a result.
I don't agree re the shepherd rule being done away with when a try is scored, most of which are carried out near the try line or inside the 20, which gives an unfair advantage to the attacking side, in the middle of the field though the defense needs to and has a bit more time in reading the play and direction than nearer to the try line.
I totally agree with you on the pulling over the side line especially when its a gang tackle and driven/dragged in a way that the player with the ball has no choice in trying to get himself on the ground. The tackle by Tallis on the eels fullback Hodginson IIRC is a case point where Tallis dragged him for near 10 mtrs and then flung him over the sideline.
The only time they should be awarded is when the player is near the sideline and no more than two defenders are in the tackle. The aspect of surrender needs to be looked at in them as well.
Colin I think that the wisdom is that by reducing the number of interchanges you are reducing injuries.
Trouble is John, reducing the number of interchanges, means that players stay on the field longer therefore are more open to injury as the season drags on. The first part of the season is very much a conditioning whereby teams try to sort the other mob out, a miss here or there means a player is out for some time. Given the amount of HIA's that we see these days there needs to be covering players for them, we have seen quite a few games where the bench has been very much reduced owing to such things.
I think we will come last again this year. Recruitment has been poor, the only positive thing of note since the end of the season was the club moved Corey Norman on.