Towards the end of the 2025 NRL season I think a majority of Eels fans had some form of optimism for 2026 hoping it might be a possible top 8 position for the Eels.
However, this year has turned into one of the worst so far on record with Eels defence one of the worst on record since 1995 and plumetting.
If this year gets any worse it most certainly looks like a Wooden Spoon or very very close to it with the only likely opposition is the Dragons but once they start putting a few wins on the board they'll easily overtake the Eels whose for and against is the worst of all NRL teams.
It seriously needs to be questioned IF Jason Ryles and his assistants Nathan Brown and Sam Moa were the correct choices and IF the fitness and conditioning coach is even qualified because this is the most unfit and mentally unconditioned Eels team I've ever seen.
Where to from here? Who seriously knows.
The Eels can't attract any decent quality players and the current squad with or without injured players are bog average.
Considering it's been 40 years since the Eels last premiership it has to be asked what is Mark O'Neil, Jim Satantinos actually doing to fix this longest premiership drought in NRL history because from the outside looking in they certainly aren't doing anything accept collect their pay cheque.
The current idea floating around seeking tempory short term player loans from.other clubs isn't the answer. In fact, it could make matters worse and is really only a band aid trying to cover up more deeper serious problems.
Replies
The stats show this is the worst defensive Eels side in their entire history.
They are also the worst defensive team out of all the teams in the NRL era.
That's bloody terrible considering Ryles is supposed to be a defence oriented coach.
This pretty much proves that Ryles is the worst coach Parra has ever had.
I disagree with what it proves.
This squad was trending the right way over the back end of last season but we lost another 2 rep players , replaced them with reserve graders ... our senior guys like Junior haven't replicated last years form and our up and comers are getting exposed as under 30 game players who can't right the ship. It seems like it's been very difficult for the young core to adjust to the rapid pace of the 6 again and from game 1 they've lost all control of the ruck .Add to that the freak injury toll and it's an absolute shit storm .
The club needs to get their recruitment and retention right. The game has changed . We need some athleticism on the edges and a couple of experienced heads ( not washed ) that can hold the middle . I think Ryles will get a response out of this group but it's hard to get a group like this up to perform physically and mentally every week . They need to sort the list out Sua for Kelma is a good start but there's more to do.
Big claim considering in 30 games Ryles has double the wins Kearney had. But definately not a good look.
Exactly but some hate to hear truth
My mrs calls me Dr Jeckle when I watch the eels play. I told her she just doesn't understand the 40 yrs of frustration I have lived with. It has gotten to a point where my 13 yrs old is considering going for the Wahs.
The issue I have with todays game is the 6 agains. The ref can decide the game quite easily with line ball calls (if that). Give a team 5 or 6 repeat sets for 10-15m an the opposition have so much wind taken out of their sails the game is gone and no chance for the conceding to am to recover. It's just not a fair game, and a lot of people can see that.
Agree the 6 agains are a joke and basically give the referees a subtle way of controlling the outcomes of matches
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