A season that began with doom and gloom ended on a high note for the Parramatta Eels, with the promise of better things to come in 2026.
The Jason Ryles era started in disastrous fashion, with the team losing eight of its first 10 games, putting a finals challenge out of the question before it was ever a possibility.
But just when the fans began to wonder what sort of a mess they had got themselves into, the Eels found their feet.
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With halfback and captain Mitchell Moses leading the charge, they began to look like a team going places and won five of their last seven games, including defeats of finals teams the Broncos, Roosters and Warriors.
Injury restricted Moses to just 13 games and such was his influence that six of the 10 wins the Eels had were when he was at the helm.
Mitchell Moses Getty
And considering the team finished just three wins out of the finals, who knows what they could achieved had the classy halfback played the full season?
Young fullback Isaiah Iongi proved one of the buys of the year, filling Clint Gutherson’s big boots and showing maturity beyond his 22 years.
Josh Addo-Carr was another great signing, bagging 19 tries from 22 games and inspiring his younger teammates with his enthusiasm and spark on the wing.
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Fellow winger Zac Lomax also added plenty of strike power and scored and created several tries with his spectacular ability to leap for the high ball.
Will Penisini continues to develop at centre and Sean Russell also looked handy when moved closer to the play.
Five-eighth Dylan Brown had a disappointing season, with the much-hyped decision to move to Newcastle next season appearing to put him off his game.
Veteran prop Junior Paulo, whose fitness has been questioned in the past, played all 24 games and his sublime ball skills resulted in many promising attacking moves.
The mid-season gain of former Warriors utility Dylan Walker proved a masterstroke and he developed into one of the team’s most effective attacking weapons.
Dylan Walker Getty
J’maine Hopgood wasn’t quite as spectacular as in his first season with the Eels in 2024, but still produced several good games when Ryles really needed him.
Back-rower Jack Williams, signed from Cronulla, was another recruit to emerge as the season progressed and his ability to bend back the defensive line will be a major asset.
Rookie hooker Ryley Smith fitted into the team nicely and looks set to share the dummy-half duties with mid-season gain Tallyn Da Silva for years to come.
Best player: Mitch Moses was as dominant as any halfback in the game when he was in the mood and it’s just a pity that injury restricted his game time.
Biggest disappointment: Ryan Matterson can be a force when in the groove but injuries and lack of form saw him just make four appearances during the season – all off the bench – before heading over to join the Warrington Wolves on a short-term contract.
He needs to lift if he returns to Parramatta.
Ryan Matterson of the Eels. Â Getty
Key signing: I’m surprised the Dragons released Jack de Belin – his experience up front should be great for the Eels.
2026 gains: Jack de Belin (Dragons), Brendan Hands (Toulouse)
2026 losses: Dylan Brown (Knights), Shaun Lane (retired), Joey Lussick (released)