Paulo standoff with Eels

Parramatta Eels front-rower Junior Paulo continues a contract standoff with the Parramatta Eels after losing the Perth Bears deal.Contract talks collapsed between Paulo and the Bears in August after his management asked for a two-year deal at $900,000 per season.

This led the Western Australian-based club to pursue Corey Horsburgh from the Canberra Raiders after he had a falling out with Ricky Stuart.

The Sydney Morning Herald reports that a deal has been offered to extend with the Parramatta Eels.

Parramatta have offered Junior Paulo $650,000 per season, which still doesn't meet his expectations.

Paulo missed most of the season after having minor knee surgery.

There had been whispers that Super League clubs believed Paulo was available for the 2027 season, according to The Daily Telegraph.

"Junior is super important for us in terms of experience in the middle third of the field; we are quite young there," Jason Ryles said at the end of the season about closing Paulo on a new deal.

If Paulo stays at Parramatta, he will join his co-captain at international level, Jarome Luai, who is heading to the Eels in a 12-month stopgap deal for 2027.

Another Samoan star, Jaydn Su'A, will also arrive at the club on a three-year deal from the St George Illawarra Dragons.

It is likely that at this stage, Paulo will remain at Parramatta; however, money is a major factor for the 32-year-old in his next year.

"The Eels' props are mostly young, so how much of Paulo's salary is on-field and how much is off-field (trainining, mentoring etc)?
Tuivati, Brown & Talangi are all still in the rookie stage, ditto Pryke (listed as pro now), leaving Paulo and Moretti…"

"Can't i join in?
"Imagine driving your car past a primary school at 3pm doing 200km/h, but you don't kill anyone,"

I don't understand the conversation, so you don't need to thank me.
"

"LB, the fact Ryda T is 19 is why EE is correct to have concerns that Ryda was gassed after just a few sets in his debut!
How much of Paulo's potential salary is tied up with showing the young props how to make sure they're not gassed after 4-5 sets?!"

Replies

- LB > Coryn Hughes September 21, 2026 at 11:48am
  
  Though Coryn, we aren't giving Ryles what he needs, but where are the players dying to play for him? His message is not strong enough to pry them over. I mean BA at least was able to get some decent signings. He got Lomax basically on his own.
Mallee57 September 21, 2026 at 1:53pm

$650k per year is nothing to sneeze at! I wouldn't mind that per year
Prof. Daz September 21, 2026 at 2:35pm

The Eels' props are mostly young, so how much of Paulo's salary is on-field and how much is off-field (trainining, mentoring etc)?

Tuivati, Brown & Talangi are all still in the rookie stage, ditto Pryke (listed as pro now), leaving Paulo and Moretti as the senior props. Paulo is the only established rep-qualify prop the Eels have, so how much is whatever salary he gets down to making sure the rookies are not left along to learn the engine room?

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