The Parramatta Eels have faced a dismal start to their season, conceding 88 points in their first two games under new coach Jason Ryles, resulting in losses to both the Storm and Tigers. Legendary player James Graham has pointed out a multitude of issues the team must address, particularly following the disappointing round two match, which coincided with Dylan Brown’s recent signing with a rival club, adding pressure on Ryles.
There were high hopes for improvement in the Eels’ defence with Ryles at the helm, thanks to his experience from the Melbourne Storm under coach Craig Bellamy. However, the team’s performance has been anything but promising. Graham noted that the Eels’ defensive shortcomings were alarming, letting in over 30 points in one match and over 50 the previous week, while their attack was described as “pedestrian”. He remarked on the team’s inability to create opportunities, stating they made hardly any notable plays until late in the game.
The absence of key player Mitchell Moses has been evident, with Brown struggling to perform effectively without his usual teammate alongside him. Moses is anticipated to be out for at least another month, further hindering the Eels’ efforts. The team has also been grappling with the losses of Clint Gutherson and Reagan Campbell-Gillard during the off-season, while seasoned forwards Ryan Matterson and Bryce Cartwright have seen action in the reserve grade rather than the NRL.
Despite these challenges, the Eels are set to receive a significant boost with the debut of star winger Josh Addo-Carr in round three against the Bulldogs, providing a silver lining amid their current struggles. With numerous concerns to tackle, Ryles has a considerable task ahead to turn the team’s fortunes around.