2025 Preview: Parramatta Eels

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Rob Crosby looks to last year's big sliders, Parramatta, with a few key changes set to change the course of their season ahead.

After a year of blue, the Eels are going for gold

A new era begins for the Parramatta Eels as Jason Ryles looks to end the longest premiership drought in the league.

Hitting rock bottom with a 15th placed finish that saw the blue and golds part ways with long-serving mentor Brad Arthur last season, the Eels were rocked by critical injuries, including Mitchell Moses missing two-thirds of the year, and conceded over 700 points for only the second time in history.

Taking up his first head coaching role after successful assistant stints with the Storm and Roosters, Ryles has already left his mark on the side by releasing inspirational captain Clinton Gutherson in a move that may define his tenure for better or worse.

Making big moves in the transfer market with representative stars Zac Lomax and Josh Addo-Carr set to add plenty of pace to the backline, Penrith lower grader Isaiah Iongi will take over from Gutherson at fullback, while Jack Williams shapes as a shrewd addition to the forward pack.

The Eels will begin life under Ryles with an away trip to Melbourne where they will be hoping to become the first team in 24 years to defeat the Storm in the opening round.

Why they'll win it

He may have only played eight games in first grade last season, but few players were as influential across the league as Mitchell Moses. 

Having an impact akin to Andrew Johns on his teammates at club level (the side won just four out of 16 matches in his absence) and producing iconic performances in the representative arena, the 30-year-old halfback has entered the prime of his career as a playmaker after a decade honing his craft.

With Moses fully fit and having complete ownership of the team as captain following the departure of Gutherson, the Eels have a player in their ranks with the ability to guide the side to greatness.

Why they won't

Having been among the best front-rowers in the game at the peak of his playing powers, Jason Ryles, as a coach, has inherited a team in desperate need of middle forwards.

With Junior Paulo and Joe Ofahengaue past their prime and Reagan Campbell-Gillard moving on to the Gold Coast, the Eels have a shortage of first grade ready props capable of maintaining the momentum for 80 minutes of game time.

While the success Canterbury have achieved with a smaller pack may be a path for Ryles to replicate, it's hard to see the Eels matching the likes of Penrith and Melbourne based on their current roster.

2025 fixture list

Drawn the ominous task of trying to end the Storm's dominance in the opening round on the road, the Eels will return home to a run of daytime matches against Sydney rivals.

Receiving favorable byes prior to Magic Round (Round 8), State of Origin Game II (Round 15) and Game III (Round 18), the side will spend three quarters of the season in NSW with well-spaced road trips to Melbourne, Darwin, Brisbane (twice), Canberra and New Zealand. 

Facing five of last year's top eight finalists twice, including home and away clashes against grand finalists Penrith and Melbourne, the Eels will end the year with five of their last six matches in Sydney.

Key player

Coming into his third season in the top grade with a newly minted contract in hand, Luca Moretti will be looking to repay the faith shown by the Eels with a breakout year.

Playing 22 games in the top grade since debuting midway through 2023, the 24-year-old Italian international has an opportunity to become a point of difference for the Eels as a young prop in an aging pack.

Likely to start the season off the bench, as he has done for the entirety of his first grade career to date, Moretti may become a pivotal figure if the Eels are to bounce back from recent mediocrity and into the top eight. 

Rookies to watch

Going from a third-choice fullback at Penrith to taking over from a fan favourite at Parramatta, Isaiah Iongi will be aware of the pressure to perform in the number one jersey. Playing one game in first grade last season - running for over 250 metres - the 21-year-old shapes as player capable of defining Ryles' career at the Eels.

Following a similar trajectory to Iongi in switching clubs in the hope of securing more game time, Joash Papalii will be pushing for a first grade debut in 2025. Representing NSW in the Under 19s State of Origin encounter two years ago, the 20-year-old played predominantly at fullback during his time at the Bulldogs but has the ability to cause havoc in an impact role off the bench.

Player movement

IN: Zac Lomax (St Geo Illa), Isaiah Iongi (Penrith), Dean Hawkins (South Sydney), Jack Williams (Cronulla), Josh Addo-Carr, Joash Papalii, Jordan Samrani (Canterbury), Ronald Volkman (unattached)

TOP 30: Bailey Simonsson, Brendan Hands, Bryce Cartwright, Dean Hawkins, Dylan Brown, Haze Dunster, Isaiah Iongi, Jack Williams, J'maine Hopgood, Joash Papalii, Joey Lussick, Joe Ofahengaue, Jordan Samrani, Josh Addo-Carr, Junior Paulo, Kelma Tuilagi, Luca Moretti, Matt Doorey, Mitchell Moses, Ronald Volkman, Ryan Matterson, Sam Tuivaiti, Sean Russell, Shaun Lane, Toni Mataele, Will Penisini, Wiremu Greig, Zac Lomax

OUT: Clint Gutherson (St George Illawarra), Ethan Sanders (Canberra), Blaize Talagi (Penrith), Daejarn Asi, Zac Cini (Castleford), Reagan Campbell-Gillard (Gold Coast), Maika Sivo (Leeds), Morgan Harper (North Sydney), Ofahiki Ogden, Makahesi Makatoa (released)

DEVELOPMENT: Charlie Guymer, Richard Penisini, Saxon Pryke, Kitione Kautoga

Predicted 17

1.   Isaiah Iongi
2.   Zac Lomax
3.   Will Penisini
4.   Bailey Simonsson
5.   Josh Addo-Carr
6.   Dylan Brown
7.   Mitchell Moses
8.   Joe Ofahengaue
9.   Brendan Hands
10.  Junior Paulo
11.  Shaun Lane
12.  Bryce Cartwright
13.  J'maine Hopgood

14.  Luca Moretti
15.  Ryan Matterson
16.  Jack Williams
17.  Kelma Tuilagi

18.  Sean Russell