The Parramatta Eels can confirm that Shaun Lane has made the decision to retire from the NRL marking the end of an outstanding playing career and the beginning of a new chapter within the club.
While Lane remains contracted for the remainder of the 2025 season, he has accepted a new role within the club’s Elite Pathways and NRLW programs, focusing on mental skills and athlete wellness.
Lane’s decision reflects a natural transition into life beyond the game, where he will continue to make a positive impact on the next generation of Eels players.
Eels General Manager of Football Mark O’Neill praised Shaun’s contributions to the club, both on and off the field.
“Shaun has been a wonderful ambassador for the Parramatta Eels. He carries himself with humility, integrity, and professionalism, and he’s been an exceptional role model for younger players,” O’Neill said. “We’re proud to see him step into this important new role, where his leadership and passion for player welfare will continue to make a difference.”
Shaun joined the Eels in 2019 and quickly established himself as a vital member of the team. His on-field leadership and consistency were pivotal to the club’s success, including being a key contributor in the Eels' 2022 NRL Grand Final side.
“I’ve absolutely loved my time playing for the Eels,” Lane said. “This club means a lot to me, and I’m incredibly grateful for the experiences I’ve had and the relationships I’ve built here. I’m really thankful to the fans for their unwavering support throughout my career—it’s meant the world to me.
“I’m now looking forward to continuing my career at Parramatta in a different capacity, helping our young athletes thrive on and off the field.”
While playing NRL, Lane had already reached significant educational milestones, completing a Bachelor of Health Sciences, a Graduate Diploma in Psychology, and is currently working towards a Master’s in Positive Psychology.
The Parramatta Eels thank Shaun for his continued service to the club and look forward to supporting him in his transition from player to mentor.
Replies
Moses Hopgood Lomax Moretti Penisini Tuilagi Paulo Russell there's still a few there and key guys also.
Ryles has done what a lot of coaches are scared to do and just hit reset on a stale team. You look at teams like cowboys manly bunnies knights sharks just running on the treadmill with the same roster over and over. He's kept the players who are worth keeping and just punted the rest 😂
💯
The new system is JRs trick shot a lot of those mentioned teams have stayed like you say the same.
We have overhauled ours.I think we are still 2 years away from giving this thing a real crack but as long as there's progression on the field and additions through pathways and via the market place.I think the latter 2 bits around the roster building ultimately will decide Parra as a clubs fate.
Shaun played well for us, combined well with Dylan in attack and gave his all and we can't ask more than that.
He had some issues that finally forced him to retire from the game but he was well liked by the fans.
He's joined our staff, so he'll be still around and you'll probably see him at the games...and if you do say hello....after all he played for the Eels, and thats an accomplishment I would have liked to have made.
Unfortunately injuries in 23 broke not only his body, but his mind. Everyone was hoping for another kick in form from 22, but unfortunately never happened. As frustrating as it was for us to watch his last 2 years, it probably frustrated him more.
I will say this about him though, he gave more time on the sidelines after the games greeting fans than the so called leadership group. No matter how he performed or how much grief he copped, he always had a smile greeting the fans.
I hope he finds happiness in his new chapter and can be an asset for the eels off the field now rather than on it
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