Round 1 Predicted Teams: Eels – Ryles taking huge gamble with key spot, pack lacks depth and hooker still a worry

The 2024 season was a watershed year for Parramatta with their long-serving coach, captain and a couple of star players moving on.

Jason Ryles has been brought in for his first head coaching assignment after a lengthy apprenticeship under master mentors Craig Bellamy, Trent Robinson and Eddie Jones.

He’s overhauled the roster in a bid to turn the Eels’ fortunes around after two straight years of missing the finals following their 2022 run to the grand final.

Mitchell Moses’ injury woes put a large dent in their hopes last season but with their star half fit for Round 1, expectations are high for Parra to again challenge for the playoffs.

Here’s how their team is shaping up for Round 1.

Who’s new?

Dragons star Zac Lomax is determined to make the centre spot his own at the Eels after being relocated against his wishes to the wing by Shane Flanagan.

The move led to him earning his first NSW and Australian call-ups but Lomax is eager to move closer to the action at the Eels and Ryles has indicated that he will start the season in his preferred position.

Ryles is also placing a huge amount of faith in rookie fullback Isaiah Iongi, who has been poached from Penrith to inherit the No.1 jersey from Clint Gutherson.

Iongi is a former Queensland under 19 representative but he has just one NRL game under his belt so it’s a sizeable gamble thrusting him straight into such a key position.

Zac Lomax. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Josh Addo-Carr is another boost to their backline after his contract was terminated by Canterbury over his positive roadside cocaine test on the eve of last year’s finals.

He will miss the first two rounds while he serves his suspension but the Foxx will be out to prove he is not a spent force at 29 after an up-and-down stint with the Dogs.

Dean Hawkins has been picked up from the Rabbitohs as back-up in the halves, ex-Sharks forward Jack Williams will be a reliable bench forward while former Warriors playmaker Ronald Volkman could also be a handy acquisition of injuries strike.

Canterbury trio Joash Papalii, Jordan Samrani and Kitione Kautoga have also lobbbed at Parramatta.

Who’s gone?

Gutherson and prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard were told they were free to leave and took up better offers elsewhere.

Teen star Blaize Talagi was offered a hefty upgrade and the No.1 jersey but he also decided to hit the road, taking up the chance to be Nathan Cleary’s halves partner at premiers Penrith for their crack at a fifth title in a row.

Campbell-Gillard was enormous for the Eels up front last season but when he was told he wouldn’t be signed beyond 2025, he negotiated a three-year deal with the Titans.

(Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

Gutherson has landed at St George Illawarra after the Eels made it clear that he would be used in a utility role if he stick around rather than his long-term spot at fullback.

Young half Ethan Sanders joined the Raiders because he was stuck behind Moses and Dylan Brown while Fijian winger Maika Sivo (Leeds Rhinos), reserve half Daejarn Asi (Castleford) and bench forward Ky Rodwell (Wakefield Trinity) have gone to the Super League.

Veteran props Makahesi Makatoa and Ofahiki Ogden were released while centre Morgan Harper will line up with the North Sydney Bears in the NSW Cup.

Key spots to unlock?

Fullback is the huge question mark with an unproven rookie taking over from a club stalwart in Gutherson.

The wings are a little light on for strikepower, particularly to start the season with Addo-Carr suspended, while the forward pack lacks size following RCG’s removal.

Junior Paulo will be called upon to be the forward leader but Ryles mainly has mobility rather than size among his other players up front.

Hooker continues to be a problem area that hasn’t been solved since Reed Mahoney switched to the Bulldogs two years ago.

Joey Lussick and Brendan Hands look set to share dummy-half duties again after the Eels failed to seal a deal to get Jayden Brailey from the Knights.

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