The walls started to quickly cave in on Arthur midway through the campaign, after he previously guided the Eels all the way to the 2022 grand final
Plenty of turnover has occurred after Clint Gutherson and co only just narrowly managed to avoid the wooden spoon during a nightmare season.
Parramatta Eels 2025 season preview
The Eels are in for a major transition with former captain Gutherson joining the likes of Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Maika Sivo in leaving the club.
Gutherson’s departure will likely see new signing Isaiah Iongi take over in the No.1 jersey.
Zac Lomax will also arrive to boost the backline after he enjoyed a stellar campaign on the wing for St George Illawarra.
But where he will play remains up in the air, with the New South Wales representative keen to return to the centres despite his upturn in performances on the flank.
Meanwhile, Ryles’ introduction into head coaching in the NRL will be one of the storylines of the season as he attempts to turn the club’s fortunes around.
Parramatta Eels predicted team list for Round 1
1. Isaiah Iongi
2. Sean Russell
3. Will Penisini
4. Zac Lomax
5. Bailey Simonsson
6. Dylan Brown
7. Mitch Moses
8. Joe Ofahengaue
9. Brendan Hands
10. Junior Paulo
11. Shaun Lane
12. Kelma Tuilagi
13. J’maine Hopgood
14. Joey Lussick
15. Jack Williams
16. Ryan Matterson
17. Bryce Cartwright
Eels latest team news ahead of Round 1
Much of Parramatta’s lineup remains unclear with Clint Gutherson and Maika Sivo exits shaking up the backline and Ryles’ preferences in his forward pack yet to be revealed.
Isaiah Iongi made the move from Penrith and could be set for the first crack at fullback.
Will Penisini seems to be the only player with a nailed-on starting spot in the backline at this stage for the opening game.
He could be joined in the centres by new recruit Zac Lomax, while the returning Bailey Simonsson, who missed the last half of the 2024 campaign due to a knee injury, could start on the wing.
Sean Russell could earn a spot on the other flank with Blaize Talagi walking out on the club and new recruit Josh Addo-Carr suspended for the first month of the campaign.
Mitch Moses missed the majority of 2024 but is set for a major role in the Eels’ potential revival, while Dylan Brown is expected to be fine for Round 1 despite suffering a knee injury in ‘Spoon Bowl’.
However, if he isn’t fit in time for the opening clash, new signing Dean Hawkins is likely to partner Moses.
Reagan Campbell-Gillard has left the club after being granted an early release to sign with the Gold Coast.
In RCG’s absence, Joe Ofahengaue has the opportunity to make a starting spot his own.
Junior Paulo is set to return to the front row after injury ruined his prior campaign. Although the Samoan forward did come off the bench in all but two of his 16 appearances last season.
Brendan Hands looks to have won the race for the No.9 jersey ahead of Joey Lussick after inking a new deal and is expected to start at dummy-half for the opener.
Shaun Lane, Ryan Matterson and J’maine Hopgood are the early favourites to start in the backrow, although Kelma Tuilagi also looms as a strong chance after inking an extension in the off-season.
Jack Williams is likely to be used as an impact player off the pine with the new recruit joined by the likes of Bryce Cartwright, Charlie Guymer and Wiremu Greig.