Eels coach Jason Ryles admitted the 46-6 halftime scoreline he found himself on the wrong end of in Melbourne at the start of the year is \u201csomething I\u2019ll never forget to the day I die\u201d.<\/p>\n
FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer ><\/a><\/p>\n But in proof of just how far Parramatta has come since then, the Eels led 34-4 at the break on Sunday afternoon as they ended their season on a high with a historic 66-10 win over the struggling Knights<\/a>.<\/p>\n While the quality in opposition could obviously not be further apart, Ryles was particularly pleased that the Eels went on with the job in the second half when it would have been so easy to get complacent.<\/p>\n WHAT’S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU? Set a deposit limit. For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.<\/p>\n \u201cWe spoke at halftime about how important it was to start the half really well,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n The Eels did just that, running in another six tries and conceding just one as they claimed their biggest-ever win against the Knights.<\/p>\n It capped off an impressive return to form for Parramatta since star halfback Mitchell Moses\u2019 return from injury, with Ryles\u2019 side winning five of its final seven games to close out the year.<\/p>\n One of those two losses came to the Storm, with the Eels falling short 16-10 on that occasion \u2014 a far cry from the 56-18 flogging they copped in Round 1.<\/p>\n Eels chief executive Jim Sarantinos called it a \u201cMike Tyson moment\u201d in an interview with <\/a>foxsports.com.au<\/a>, adding: \u201cEveryone\u2019s got a plan until you get punched in the face\u201d.<\/p>\n It was certainly a punch in the face for Ryles and his rebuild. So, if you had told him he would be sitting here at the end of the season with 10 wins, would he take it?<\/p>\n Eels hand Knights wooden spoon in rout! | 01:46<\/p>\n \u201cI probably would have,\u201d Ryles said.<\/p>\n \u201cI think there were a lot of games there where we were in them up to here and you kind of look back on it and think what if? <\/p>\n \u201cBut for me and the playing group and Mitchell, we\u2019re on a journey. This is to be continued and we need to get back in really good shape so that we can give ourselves a chance to continue to get better.\u201d<\/p>\n There is some argument with the way they have played lately that the Moses-led Eels would even be stiffer finals competition than the Warriors.<\/p>\n So, is a return to the top eight the goal for Parramatta in 2026?<\/p>\n \u201cI think what a realistic goal is everyone turns up in good shape ready to train in November, December, whenever they\u2019re back,\u201d Ryles replied. <\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll look to continue to improve each individual, give them the environment to be the best they can be, but a lot of things have got to happen for you to get to that stage. <\/p>\n \u201cBut, who knows?\u201d<\/p>\n Hattrick hero Foxx’s HILARIOUS interview | 01:26<\/p>\n