2024 review: Parramatta Eels

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Luke Jobson looks back over the Parramatta Eels' 2024 NRL campaign.

Having missed out on finals football in 2023, it was meant to be the redemption year for the Parramatta Eels.

A fresh Mitchell Moses, an injury-free Clint Gutherson and a forward pack that at time could be one of the best in the competition - there were plenty of fans thinking that Parramatta could be a darkhorse in what may have been their final year of the premiership window.

What 2024 turned out to be, was nothing more than a disappointment backed by inconsistency both on and off the field. A 2-1 start in 2024, the Eels would only win another two games up to Round 21. That's not to say that they should have been 4-14 after 21 rounds, but the Eels became known as the team that would play for 40 minutes a week and hang on for the rest. 

A one-point loss to the wooden spooners of 2024, multiple blow out losses to the Rabbitohs, Dolphins and Raiders as well as more half time leads blown than anyone else this season, it all compounded to a lowly 15th place. As a matter of fact, no game encapsulates the Eels season more than their round 23 loss to Penrith. 

The Eels, up 34-20 with eight minutes left, would concede three tries back-to-back in four minutes to be down 36-34. Clint Gutherson would have a chance to tie the game near on full time with a penalty goal, only for it to flail wide and allow the now four-time premiers to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

It would end up costing grand final coach Brad Arthur his job, with Trent Barrett now out of the club ranks with the arrival of Jason Ryles. It has also cost Clint Gutherson his future with the club, with Ryles allowing the captain to chase a move away from Parramatta immediately. 

What's arguably the worst part about this season, is how Parramatta have lost three future first graders to rivals. Blaize Talagi took less money to sign with Penrith, while NSW U19's representatives Matt Arthur (Newcastle) and Ethan Sanders (Canberra) have both moved away to try and get consistent game time. Surely it can only go up in 2025 for Eels fans… right? 

Turning point 

Without a shadow of a doubt, Mitchell Moses succumbing to a foot injury in the Eels Round 3 win against Manly put the mock on Parramatta. Without Moses, the Eels only won two games and once Moses did come back, he wasn't able to slow straight into the attack as he normally would. Compiling that loss was Moses' selection for State of Origin this year, so realistically Parramatta had at most, four rounds of their strongest spine in 2024.

What worked 

It is hard to actually pinpoint something in 2024 that did work for Parramatta, such was how disappointing they played in 2024. That said, the blooding of some new players such as Jake Tago and Charlie Guymer that will hang around the club for a while in a rotten season means that these youngsters get some needed experience before being thrown into the limelight of 2025.

What didn't work 

The back office. It is as plain and simple as that. While there's no denying that Zac Lomax is a huge signing for the Eels, the men in change failed to ensure that the future of the club was secure. Instead, the arguable rookie of the year is off to the premiers and two other junior representatives are off to fringe top eight sides in 2025. The fact that there is an extraordinary general meeting in the coming days should say all that needs to be said about the off-field aspect of the club. There needs to be cohesion off the field, for there to be cohesion on the field.

2024 week-by-week

Best Players

Blaize Talagi had a slow start to his career but quickly became a shining star in a dark season. Second only to Maika Sivo in the Eels try-scoring ranks, Talagi proved his versatility by lining up in basically every backline position, providing plenty of spark in attack and defensively was sound (which is good for the Eels leaky defensive line). It's a true shame he is off to Penrith, for Eels fans that is. Panthers fans can rejoice that the livewire will be feeding off the best half in the game. 

Will Penisini had yet another great season in the blue and gold, with none of the accolades he deserves. He scored 11 tries, set up five others and saved just as many with his last ditch efforts. Averaging 130 metres every game, Penisini may not be an Origin player but he is well on his way to earning a spot in 2025.

Rookies 

Charlie Guymer was a more than capable lock when the Eels were all but down and out, deputising for J'maine Hopgood and then Ryan Matterson. He was only able to get a few games but Parramatta fans were licking their lips at the idea of Guymer being in the 17 for years to come. Injury curtailed his season after just a few games, and with some added fitness work over the summer, Guymer will be a solid rotation player off the bench in 2025. 
Jake Tago had some sparks of brilliance during his time in the top flight. While probably not the Eels first choice winger next year, the rumours around Maika Sivo being shopped to the Super League should fill the youngster with a sense of trust. 

Quick on his feet, Tago was able to capitalize on some lovely Eels sweeping plays towards the back end of the season. Some defensive work is needed, with the rookie being caught out on multiple occasions, but there's plenty to work with before round one next year that will ensure he's up to the task. 

2024 player record

Season snapshot

Coaches: Trent Barrett (14), Brad Arthur (10)
Captains: Clinton Gutherson (20), Junior Paulo (2), Dylan Brown (1)

Biggest home crowd: 29,171 (vs. Canterbury in round 1)
Average home crowd: 18,836

Top pointscorer: Clinton Gutherson (112)
Top tryscorer: Maika Sivo (17)

Club awards

Ken Thornett Medal (NRL Player of the Year): Reagan Campbell-Gillard
Blue & Gold Army NRL Player of the Year, Jack Gibson NRL Coaches Award, Nathan Hindmarsh Players' Player: Clint Gutherson
Eric Grothe Snr Rookie of the Year: Blaize Talagi
Steve Ella Jersey Flegg Cup Player of the Year: Saxon Pryke
Brett Kenny Jersey Flegg Cup Coaches Award: Teancum Brown
Bob O'Reilly NSW Cup Player of the Year: Brock Parker
Geoff Gerard NSW Cup Coaches Aaward: Dan Keir
Ray Price NRL Community Award: Shaun Lane

Looking ahead 

Realistically, the Eels have one more season in their premiership window before it closes for what may be the best part of a decade. Mitchell Moses will come back into the fold to start, with the possibility of a rookie fulback in Isaiah Iongi looking to start in round one. 

The signings of Zac Lomax and Isaiah Iongi provide an immediate boost, while Dean Hawkins is a much needed deputy in the halves considering how injuries have hit Parramatta the past two years. 

A few more middle forwards need to find their way into the Eels top 30, be it from the clubs junior ranks or through new signings - someone like Leo Thompson would be perfect for Parramatta. They'll be a fringe finals side in 2025, much better than 2024 but whether they can hang on when it counts will remain to be seen. 

Predicted 2025 R1 lineup

based on current signings at time of writing

1. Clint Gutherson
2. Jake Tago
3. Will Penisini
4. Zac Lomax
5. Bailey Simonsson
6. Dylan Brown
7. Mitchell Moses
8. Joe Ofahengaue
9. Brendan Hands
10. Junior Paulo
11. Shaun Lane
12. Ryan Matterson
13. J'maine Hopgood

14. Charlie Guymer
15. Luca Moretti
16. Kelma Tuilagi
17. Isaiah Iongi