Parramatta Eels add four players to its 2021 NRL squad

The Parramatta Eels are pleased to announce three player signings and the retention of Will Smith for the 2021 NRL season.

Michael Oldfield has agreed to a one-year deal, bringing 100 games of experience in both the NRL and the English Super League.

He most recently played for the Canberra Raiders.

Keegan Hipgrave has also agreed to a one-year deal with a Club option for 2022.

He has played for the Gold Coast Titans since 2017.

Pleasingly, Parramatta Eel Will Smith will also remain with the Club for a fifth season and has re-signed for the 2021 season.

Parramatta Eels General Manager of Football Mark O’Neill said, “We look forward to welcoming Michael and Keegan in the 2021 pre-season and having Will remain in the Blue and Gold.”

“We believe the combination of the new NRL rule changes, Eels coaching capability and our Club environment will bring the best out of these players.

“We are thankful of their decision to choose our club and are excited about working together upon their arrival,” O’Neill said.

Development List

Nathaniel Roache has been added to the Eels’ development squad.

Nathaniel has played 26 NRL games for the Warriors after making his debut in 2016.

"It should be included as part of our membership package. 1300 EEL - Beyond Blue and Gold hotline . They could have MON answering the calls, surley once you've spent half an hour talking to that dropkick , we'd all realise our lives aren't all…"

"If I'm running the club , I'm punting our recruitment team and just subcontracting a third party to do it as a part time gig. We really don't warrant having a full time recruitment position on our books. "

"haha. Best we stay in our lane Wiz and not dare look at good players. Its all juniors for ever, that way its no one in managements fault, it is all the kid or his coaches fault. Ass covering 101"

Replies

ParramattaLurker November 7, 2020 at 6:15pm

Keegan Hipgrave is a great signing.
- SneakyEel > ParramattaLurker November 7, 2020 at 6:18pm
  
  Yeah agreed really like the bloke
  - CarloEEL2 > SneakyEel November 7, 2020 at 6:32pm
    
    Fresh prince yay
    - SneakyEel > CarloEEL2 November 7, 2020 at 6:33pm
      
      fresh prince our best signing in years
    - Chuck Norris. > CarloEEL2 November 8, 2020 at 3:54am
      
      Why oh why. Does reserve grade desperately need his blue eyes that bad Carlo.
- Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst > ParramattaLurker November 7, 2020 at 7:47pm
  
  Great? Lol that word gets thrown around too much.
Muttman November 7, 2020 at 6:28pm

Wow I didn't realise Hipgrave was available. He cuts opponents in half. Great signing.
- Brett Allen > Muttman November 7, 2020 at 6:38pm
  
  Yeah, the Titans went hard to keep him. Very surprising
Trent November 7, 2020 at 6:33pm

nice signings hipgrave will be great off the benxh
Girth Wind & Fire November 7, 2020 at 6:39pm

Keegan Hipgrave... get ready for more of the "we just played dumb" press conferences. Gotta disagree with people here saying he was a good signing. There was a game this season he had 2 hitups, 12 missed tackles and gave away 4 penalties.

Roache was decent at the start of his career but plagued by injuries. Def worth a development contract.

Oldfield. Meh.

Not exactly sure what we're doing here.