Parramatta Eels are set to extend Prop Forward and Vice-Captain Junior Paulo past 2026. The 32 year old has played 263 NRL games, 208 for Parramatta. A new deal in 2027 can lead him to passing 300 NRL games.
I am surprised but also in hindsight it makes sense. Paulo had a great year, though statistically it was nowhere near his best, his influence was evident. His leadership and the resepect he garners is imperative to this squad. If it is one year he will 34 a the end of the deal. His is slowing down but it could be, if we add Keaon Koloamatangi especially, is move Paulo into that impact bench role. He can play a part in that role for sure.
I went into 2025 thinking like some, I understand why Paulo stayed over RCG, though he might give it a miss this year or next. But mid way through this year i saw that Paulo was playing well enough to keep going.
I just wonder how it all fits with the likes of Paulo, KK, Hopgood, De Belin, Tuivaiti, Walker and Moretti to fit them all in. Particularly since Ryles likes to play two Hookers, though also Ryles seemed wanting to get younger but have Paulo and de Belin possibly in 2027 being 33 and 36 in the middle.
Anyway i do not see him going anywhere, other than SL, so a deal should be able to be done reletively easily.
Replies
Please ...he's one of the top 10% paid players in the game, and plays about 20 minutes ..... he's not owed shit. He goes ok, and is massively over paid.
Junior seemed a spent force pre-Ryles, but he showed real leadership and buy in. Got fit & played almost 60 per game. Essentially, a career high. Not 20. That's like calling a T-Rex a large chicken.
He's on a lot. But we couldn't keep him on that. He's a good ambassador for Islanders too.
You guys have short memories. He was often on the wing or out wide when he ran out of puff after 10-15 mins. It was frustrating to watch. Like he was having a smokie break. Many coaches would've ended up with the spoon after what they inherited with the previous squad was at 23-24. It was an absolute defensive sheet show that had been declining in free fall since post-2020. Few would've gone as bold as Ryles has.
I look at it through a total contract lense when evaluating a players value . Overall, Juniors had a pretty good holiday this term. Yeah, he repaid us with some value , but let's not get carried away claiming he's been some superhero servant to the club. He's been renumerated quite favourably on his side. Ironically you're saying I have a short memory , when you're seemingly praising him due to only recent efforts and forgetting the fact he was a passenger when he was supposed to be a leader . I most certainly don't forget.
We re-signed Junior in 2021. He played 11 consecutive Origin matches across 2020-2023. He was an absolute top shelf prop when we re-signed him and a walk-up Blues selection.
It's no surprise he was losing his impact as Brad kept asking him to chase the collision while carrying a massive amount of weight. We've seen what happens with a coach that starts moving with the times, Ryles and Gardiner inclusive.
Wiz, you have a point about the past and I do love irony dearly along with symbolic foreshadowing lol. Well spotted! Kudos.
I agree he was below par for quite some time and looked best as a bench player. Tbh, he was in good company. Lane, Matto, even Dylan and Hopgood (probably injury related too) was for whatever reasons.
But what matters is how he came back. He probed he still has a lot to offer and he bought in, which is important considering he is a senior leadership figure. Ryles also deserves a pat on the back. Hopefully, the new deal is a fair win-win, and we're going to keep improving our systems and culture. We won't do it the easy way by buying big-names.
He is already under contract for 2026 so one more year after that. His current contract is reportedly $900-$950k so he would have to take a pay cut to continue but the numbers some on here are tossing up like $300-$400k are laughable. Sure that's what you would like to pay him but it's more likely going to be at least $500-$600k.
HKF - sounds about right. I thought he'd command $650k minimum, considering he is on $900 -$950K for his last year, and a co captain.
Agreed. People need to remember there is no one on the market for 2027 anyways. Signing Junior on $650K when there isnt anyone else to get doesnt mean anything. We dont get bonuses for not using our cap space.
Its laughable that everyone needs to be on less than 300K and then we can sign Hass, Tino and Keaon as our starting pack.
Great point. Big money for one year is not a big deal with nothing else out there.
Moretti and tuavaiti are going to struggle to get into the 17 this year + 1 or 2 gun middle forwards coming through cup. But sure resign an old man on rediculous money, it's the parra way aha
-
4
-
5
-
6
-
7
-
8
of 8 Next