Jason Ryles arrived at Parramatta with an uncompromising mindset:
“If no one sees you as their enemy, you’re not important.”
He didn’t just want to coach the Eels; he wanted to WIN.
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For a decade, Parramatta was a club built on the comfortable cushion of “next year.” The 2025 season served as a cold-blooded exercise in removing that safety net.
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By cutting ties with club icons like Clint Gutherson and Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Ryles sent a clear message: past loyalty is no longer legal tender.
He isn’t interested in a slow burn; he is hunting for what he calls the “Perfect Storm”—a merging of tactical discipline, youth-driven speed, and a ruthless rejection of “half-arse” choices.
A SEASON OF SCARS
The Eels’ 2025 campaign began with a 56-18 execution at the hands of the Storm that left the faithful shell-shocked. Finishing 11th with a 10-14 record was a fair reflection of a side grappling with an identity crisis.
THE LIGHT
Amidst the rubble, Jack Williams emerged as the club’s pulse, winning the Ken Thornett Medal by simply outworking everyone in the room. Then there was Isaiah Iongi. Securing him from Penrith was the steal of the year; he provided a defensive urgency and kick-return energy that made others look like they were moving in slow motion.
THE DARK
The mid-season was defined by a vacuum. The bombshell departure of Dylan Brown to Newcastle left a void that was both tactical and emotional.
When Mitchell Moses went down, the Eels didn’t just lose; they looked “confused.”
Without their high-profile spine, the attack lacked its usual zip, appearing tentative and rudderless.
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Lomax’s court date delayed until March | 00:50
THE LITMUS TEST
Ryles has enjoyed a rare, protected run from a press and fan base notoriously short on patience.
That grace was earned through transparency—promising a long-term reset and backing it up with Melbourne-style hard work to strip the ego from the group.
But in 2026, the protection expires. Ryles has declared that the arrival of Jonah Pezet and Jack de Belin creates the final elements of his “Perfect Storm.”
The ‘transition’ excuse has been spent, and the roster is now undeniably his.
For a fan base that has been fasting for a premiership since 1986, hunger is turning into desperation.
If the Eels aren’t humming by May, the narrative will quickly sour from ‘revolution’ to ‘unproven gamble.’
THE NURSERY
The silver lining remains in the pathways. Western Sydney is a rugby league goldmine, and Ryles is finally digging in the right spots.
• Junior Powerhouses: Both the Harold Matthews and SG Ball squads remain dominant, ensuring a steady stream of ‘Eels-bred’ talent is pushing through the ranks.
• The Finishing School: The NSW Cup became a vital laboratory in 2025. When prospects like Tallyn Da Silva were called up, they didn’t just fill a hole — they played like men who had mastered the system before they even stepped onto the NRL stage.
‘Understand why the Eels have the s****’ | 06:56
THE MOSES FACTOR
2025 was a year of ‘what if’ for Mitchell Moses. After taking the captaincy, he was restricted to just 13 games.
The impact was obvious: with Moses, the Eels played like a top four threat; without him, they were lost.
In the post-Dylan Brown world, Moses is the sun around which the entire Eels team orbits. He no longer has a million-dollar wingman to share the heat.
For Parramatta to succeed in 2026, Moses needs to be more than elite; he needs to be durable. If he doesn’t crack the 20-game mark, the Eels are simply making up the numbers.
2026 PROJECTION
The Path to Finals: The 2026 draw is a gift. With minimal travel and a Sydney-heavy run home, the platform is set.
If Jonah Pezet can be the ‘General’ who frees up Moses’ running game, and the middle rotation of Junior Paulo and Jack de Belin wins the advantage line, the Eels will be a serious September problem.
The Road to Ruin: A Round 1 rematch with the Storm in Melbourne looms like a dark shadow. If they start 0-4 and the pressure of a ‘Moses-only’ attack becomes too predictable, the Eels could easily slide back into a dogfight for 12th.
THE VERDICT
Jason Ryles is no longer building the house; he’s living in it, and the mortgage is due. Anything less than a 13-win season and a return to finals footy will be seen as a failure of the Revolution. The honeymoon is over; it’s time to see if the storm finally cleared the air.
2026 SEASON PREVIEWS
ROOSTERS: DCE domino effect: Inside $500k Roosters masterstroke
RABBITOHS: A Wayne masterstroke and X-factor arrival has Bunnies primed
DRAGONS: Flanagan’s big promise… and the huge gamble to make or break season
“Wish him well” – Penisini on Lomax | 00:44
WHAT THE EXPERTS SAID
Is the hype justified?
Dan Ginnane: This is a team people are very high on. They are one of those teams we look at because they finished fast the season before. In the last seven games, they knocked off three eventual top eight teams (Broncos, Warriors, Roosters). That’s what has people excited… It’s a pretty solid looking team but I don’t think the hype is justified.
Progression under Jason Ryles
Braith Anasta: I think what got everyone excited is the improvement and the way they played because they were in a dark place last year after a 0-4 start. What’s got everyone excited is the influence of Jason Ryles as you can see it unfolding. They have an identity now. Their defence improved out of sight and their attack evolved as well. They played a style that was enjoyable to watch. I think that’s why there is a lot of excitement and if they continue on the trajectory, it means they will probably be in the eight or the edge of it.
On Moses/Pezet combination
Braith Anasta: There’s versatility there but I would think that Moses runs the team. Jonah would be more the five-eighth. Jonah has a great kicking game so it takes some pressure of Mitch there so it’s great to have two elite kickers. Moses has a strong running game so he knows if he gets tackled he has Jonah on the back of that. They’ve both got a presence about them but they have the finesse as well. I think it’s going to be a really good combo but Moses is the main man and Jonah will be second fiddle and still have a huge impact.
Eels vs Lomax: “I applaud Parramatta!’ | 02:58
THE BIG BREAKDOWN – BY TOM SARGEANT
STRENGTH
Their halves. When fit and firing, Mitchell Moses is arguably the most impactful player to any one NRL team. The 31-year-old has been in sensational form for the Eels in recent years, with his ability to find success in Parramatta only being hindered by consistent injuries. To close out the 2025 season, the Eels were on fire and their form was heavily influenced by a red-hot Moses in the halves. Joining him in 2026 is one of the game’s best up-and-coming players in Jonah Pezet, who has signed a one-year deal before he joins the Broncos in 2027. While he’s at the club for a short period, there’s no doubts Pezet will have an impact and the 23-year-old could be the perfect foil for Moses. The former Storm halfback has a strong short kicking game, while Moses will once again assume long-kicking duties. Pezet is also excellent as an organisational half, taking some of the pressure off Moses which could allow him to flourish and elevate his running game to new heights.
WEAKNESS
Their outside backs. Their stocks took a huge hit when Zac Lomax was released, being the club’s premier flyer alongside Josh Addo-Carr. In his place, Brian Kelly has arrived at the club but losing a representative player is always a tough pill to swallow. The impact of the back five has never been more important in the modern game, with the best teams in the competition having outside backs who chew up metres and start their sets off strong. Lomax tallied mountains of running metres and was also a dangerous aerial threat, while his teammates have in the past lacked punch from the backfield. Kelly is a solid ball-runner, but the full Eels backline will have to pick up Lomax’s slack.
IT’S A BIG YEAR FOR
Isaiah Iongi. Last year was a big campaign for Iongi, who made the cross-town switch from the Panthers. It was a move that came with a mountain of pressure, taking over in the No.1 jersey from arguably one of the NRL’s most consistent players in Clint Gutherson. But he stood up to the task and proved he is a first grade fullback. But now the 22-year-old has to back up those performances in his second full NRL season, especially with a target on his back now rivals know he is a dangerous attacking threat. Regardless, Iongi was so impressive Parramatta powerbrokers handed him an extension in December, signing him on until the end of the 2030 season.
WHO’S UNDER PRESSURE
Tallyn Da Silva. Once considered as Apisai Koroisau’s successor at the Wests Tigers, Tallyn Da Silva made the decision to leave because he wanted to play a starting role. However, things didn’t work out as he imagined and he has since struggled at the Eels where he has found himself playing second-fiddle to Ryley Smith off the interchange bench. Although he is still young, the dummy-half is under a lot of pressure to find the form that made him one of the brightest prospects in the game and another disappointing campaign could see him overlooked for a longer period.
THE RISING STAR
Sam Tuivaiti. This young gun’s season was cut short due to an MCL injury, but the 20-year-old showed an immense amount of talent in his 11 games. The hulking prop made his debut in Round 1, becoming a key middle forward for the Eels until he was struck down in Round 9, while also spending one game in NSW Cup. It was a great first taste of life in the NRL for the young middle forward, punching above his weight in one of the toughest positions in rugby league. With another pre-season under his belt, expect this young gun to go up another gear and truly become a central cog in Parramatta’s middle forward machine. Especially when you consider he now has two incredibly experienced players in Junior Paulo and Jack de Belin to learn from, alongside the likes of Dylan Walker and J’maine Hopgood who also have Origin experience.
Predicted finish (via Fox Sports Lab): 11th
Best 19
1. Isaiah Iongi
2. Sean Russell
3. Will Penisini
4. Brian Kelly
5. Josh Addo-Carr
6. Jonah Pezet
7. Mitchell Moses
8. Junior Paulo
9. Ryley Smith
10. Jack de Belin
11. Jack Williams
12. Kitione Kautoga
13. J’maine Hopgood
14. Tallyn Da Silva
15. Dylan Walker
16. Sam Tuivaiti
17. Charlie Guymer
18. Joash Papalii
19. Jordan Samrani
EELS SQUAD
Top 30: Bailey Simonsson (2027), Charlie Guymer (2026), Dylan Walker (2026), Isaiah Iongi (2030), J’maine Hopgood (2027), Jack de Belin (2026, CO 2027), Jack Williams (2027), Jake Tago (2026), Joash Papalii (2026), Jonah Pezet (2026), Jordan Samrani (2027), Josh Addo-Carr (2027), Junior Paulo (2026), Kelma Tuilagi (2026), Kitione Kautoga (2027), Luca Moretti (2027), Matt Doorey (2027), Mitchell Moses (2029), Richard Penisini, Ronald Volkman (2026), Ryan Matterson (2026), Ryley Smith (2027), Sam Tuivaiti (2027), Sean Russell (2026), Tallyn Da Silva (2029), Toni Mataele (2026), Will Penisini (2026), Brian Kelly (2027)
Development players: Lorenzo Talataina (2027), William Latu (2026), Jezaiah Funa-luta (2026)
2026 gains: Jack de Belin (Dragons), Jonah Pezet (Storm), Brian Kelly (Titans)
2026 losses: Dylan Brown (Knights), Shaun Lane (retired), Zac Lomax (released), Brendan Hands (Toulouse), Dean Hawkins (released), Wiremu Greig (Townsville Blackhawks), Dan Keir (released), Haze Dunster (released)
Coach: Jason Ryles (2029)

























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