Michael Ennis believes the Eels can get back to their best with Dylan Brown and Shaun Lane playing key roles in a big bounce back year for the club after missing the finals in 2023.
The Eels lost a number of key players from their 2022 Grand Final side and when injuries and suspensions came, they lacked the depth to overcome those hurdles last season.
“I think it was an interesting year for Parramatta last year,” Ennis told foxsports.com.au.
Watch sport this summer live with no ad breaks in play on Kayo Sports. Join Kayo now and start streaming instantly >
Bennett keen on New Zealand job | 00:30
“Coming off the grand final the year before they had lost some key personnel in Mahoney, Niukore and Papali’i.
“They lost some key players and it took some time for Parramatta to adjust. Then as they started to adjust they were hit with injuries and some suspensions.
“They were missing Shaun Lane after the season that he put together the year before.
“It was a huge blow for them to not have Dylan Brown for a number of weeks.
“That combination on that left hand-side on its day is as good as any in the competition.
“To have those two back in the side regularly will be important for them.
“A Parramatta side that has got Paulo and Campbell-Gillard and Mitch Moses who I think is just getting better and better every year.
“Gutherson was great for them last year and then you throw back in Lane and Brown into that side and I think we will see some vast improvement from Parramatta.”
The Eels have recruited smartly for 2024, with Kelma Tuilagi and Morgan Harper joining the club from the Sea Eagles.
Ennis believes the Eels are a stronger squad on paper with the added depth in the forwards and outside backs.
“The Eels have lacked depth when injuries strike and Kelma Tuilagi and Morgan Harper will improve the squad,” Ennis said.
“They struggled for consistency at Manly, but on their day they are class players and they will create healthy competition for spots, which helps players rise to the challenge, work hard and improve.”
Eels coach Brad Arthur is entering a contract year in 2024 and as it is his 11th full season with the club with just one Grand Final appearance, the pressure is on him to deliver.
Ennis is confident Arthur will meet the challenges and can get the team back in the top eight.
“Brad Arthur is a great coach, he really is,” Ennis said.
“He puts his heart and soul into that team and I have been in that position before where you have made a grand final and it is difficult the year after.
“Sides come after you and that’s what makes sides like Melbourne and the Roosters and in particular Penrith and what they have done so admirable.
“It is a real challenge when you become the hunted and you throw in some injuries to key men and changes as well with guys leaving.
“It was just one of those years for Parramatta, but there is always pressure on coaches. Brad has been through it before and he has been able to fight his way through it and I think we will see that again this year.”
Here foxsports.com.au breaks down all the key factors for the Eels heading into the 2024 season.
STRENGTH
Halves. Apart from the Storm and the Panthers for one more year, the Eels probably have the best halves pairing in the NRL and potentially they can be the outright best in years to come. At 29, Moses has played 217 games and is at his peak as an NRL halfback heading into 2024 and he has one of the best kicking games in the competition. Still just 23, Brown will play his 100th game in Round 1 and still has so much improvement left in him, which is scary for the rest of the NRL. The pair have each had purple patches of form individually, but if they can both get it right at the same time like they did on the charge to the 2022 decider, the Eels can get themselves back in the top four and competing for a title.
Get all the latest NRL news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!
IT’S A BIG YEAR FOR
Dylan Brown. The New Zealand five-eighth was banned last year for sexual touching and the Eels struggled in his absence to miss the finals. While their poor season can’t be put solely on Brown, he will be motivated to make it up to his teammates in 2024. Brown signed a monster extension with the Eels through until the end of 2031 and now is the time to live up to his hefty price tag. The Eels are no longer blessed with a creative dummyhalf, so the onus is on Brown to create more opportunities for his teammates and show more consistency as a playmaker in tandem with Moses.
WHO’S UNDER PRESSURE
Brendan Hands. The Eels have struggled to fill the void left by Reed Mahoney’s defection to the Bulldogs in 2023. Josh Hodgson was signed on a two year deal but was medically retired due to injury. The club brought Brendan Hands to the club form Penrith, with the 24-year-old playing 19 games for the club in his rookie NRL season. Hands was solid without being spectacular, but the club signed Joey Lussick to return from the Super League to bolster their dummyhalf depth. The Eels will likely use hands and Lussick in tandem next season, but it remains to be seen which player will start and which will come off the bench.
THE RISING STAR
Sean Russell. After debuting in 2021, Russell had a few injury setbacks but managed nine tries in 17 games last season as he became a mainstay on the wing for the Eels. Still, just 21, Russell has a high ceiling and he can also play fullback should Clint Gutherson get injured or need a rest at any stage. Russell looks set to be Maika Sivo’s wing partner in 2024 and the pair should score plenty of tries on the end of this backline.
THE UNLUCKY ONES
Kelma Tuilagi, Morgan Harper, Makahesi Makatoa. Tuilagi and Harper join the Eels from the Sea Eagles in 2024, but their path to starting looks blocked at this stage and they may struggle to make the 17. Shaun Lane, Ryan Matterson and Bryce Cartwright are ahead of Tuilagi in the second row, while Will Penisini and Bailey Simonsson are ahead of Harper at centre at this stage. Makatoa played 24 games in the 2022 charge to the Grand Final, but has fallen out of favour since being overlooked for the decider.
PREDICTION: 9TH
BEST 17:
1. Clint Gutherson
2. Maika Sivo
3. Will Penisini
4. Bailey Simonsson
5. Sean Russell
6. Dylan Brown
7. Mitchell Moses
8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard
9. Brendan Hands
10. Junior Paulo
11. Shaun Lane
12. Bryce Cartwright
13. J’maine Hopgood
14. Joey Lussick
15. Ryan Matterson
16. Joe Ofahengaue
17. Wiremu Greig
EELS
2024 squad: Bailey Simonsson (2024), Blaize Talagi (2024, PO 2025), Brendan Hands (2025), Bryce Cartwright (2025), Clint Gutherson (2025), Daejarn Asi (2024), Dylan Brown (2025, PO 2031), Haze Dunster (2024, MO 2025), Jirah Momoisea (2024), J’maine Hopgood (2025), Joey Lussick (2025), Joe Ofahengaue (2025), Junior Paulo (2026), Kelma Tuilagi (2025), Ky Rodwell (2024), Maika Sivo (2025, MO 2026, CO 2028), Makahesi Makatoa (2024), Matt Doorey (2025), Mitchell Moses (2026, PO 2029), Morgan Harper (2024), Ofahiki Ogden (2024), Reagan Campbell-Gillard (2025), Ryan Matterson (2025, PO 2026), Sean Russell (2025), Shaun Lane (2025, MO 2026), Tevita Taumoepenu (2024), Uinitoni Mataele (2025), Will Penisini (2025, PO 2026), Wiremu Greig (2025), Zac Cini (2024)
Development players: Charlie Guymer (2024), Ethan Sanders (2024), Jock Brazel (2024), Luca Moretti (2025), Sam Tuivaiti (2025)
2024 gains: Kelma Tuilagi (Sea Eagles), Morgan Harper (Sea Eagles)
2024 losses: Jack Murchie (Huddersfield), Josh Hodgson (retired), Andrew Davey (retired), Waqa Blake (St Helens), Samuel Loizou (unsigned)
Coach: Brad Arthur (2024)
Discussion about this post