Eels’ ’waste’ uncovered as gamble backfires; large recruitment win over rival: Brutal Review

‘PICK BEST AND FIND A POSITION’: Plans for star trio in Kangaroos’ No.1 battle

What went proper: The Eels had an enormous recruitment win in J’maine Hopgood. The 24-year-old arrived from the Panthers simply hoping to get extra recreation time, however went on to grow to be a key member of Parramatta’s pack. He performed each recreation of the season — and began in all however three — after enjoying only a complete of 9 video games throughout the earlier two seasons. Hopgood topped the staff in tackles, averaging 39 a recreation and sat sixth within the competitors general. He additionally topped the competitors’s offload rely and one-on-one tackles. The Eels’ fundamental males Clint Gutherson and Mitchell Moses additionally put collectively seasons they are often pleased with. Gutherson, who obtained the Ken Thornett Medal and was named Players’ Player for 2023, tried his guts out for his teammates. He completed first for the Eels in linebreak assists and averaging working metres and second in tries scored, attempt assists, linebreaks and deal with busts. The skipper’s efforts have been rewarded with a call-up for Origin III on the bench — though he did solely get three minutes on the sphere. Joining him in that area was Moses, who slotted into the No.7 jersey for video games two and three following an harm to Nathan Cleary. It was Moses’ type for the Eels that earnt him the Blues call-up and it was his two performances for NSW that had Fox League analyst Michael Ennis declare Cleary has “got competition” now. Moses’ season was reduce brief by way of harm however 29-year-old performed a few of his greatest footy to this point throughout 2023.

What went unsuitable: Injuries, suspensions and the gamble on Josh Hodgson. In hindsight, Ryan Matterson’s weird resolution to serve a three-game ban at the beginning of the season as an alternative of paying a $4,000 superb was an indication of what was to return — essential outs for the Eels. The harm listing was headlined by luckless second-rower Shaun Lane, who went from having a career-best season in 2022 to managing simply 10 video games this yr attributable to a damaged jaw, a hamstring harm and a dislocated elbow. Star enforcer Reagan Campbell-Gillard missed 5 video games with a groin harm after which one other 4 late within the season by way of suspension. Halfback Mitchell Moses missed the ultimate three video games with a fractured eye socket after which there was after all Dylan Brown’s seven-game suspension. The 23-year-old pleaded responsible to 2 counts of sexually touching a girl with out consent and because of this missed a vital chunk of Parramatta’s season. Another large hit for the Eels’ this yr was the Hodgson deal not going to plan. After bidding farewell to Reed Mahoney the membership desperately wanted an skilled hooker and so turned to 33-year-old Hodgson in December, 2021. There have been query marks over the signing from the very starting given Mahoney, for essentially the most half, was an 80-minute participant and Hodgson had a historical past with accidents. It didn’t assist both that three months after signing the contract he ruptured his ACL in what ended up being his final recreation for the Raiders. There was loads of positivity popping out of the Eels camp heading into the season about Hodgson’s expertise — and what he would carry to the staff. Sadly, the English worldwide solely managed 12 video games earlier than confirming his medical retirement in August.

Get all the newest NRL news, highlights and evaluation delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!

What they want: A hooker. It’s an apparent gap, however not precisely a simple one to fill. The Eels do have the versatile Brendan Hands, who did an admirable job in his rookie season however he seems to be to have fallen down the pecking order with the membership luring Joey Lussick again to the NRL. Lussick has had stints within the Roosters and Manly system in addition to a yr on the Eels beforehand, however he hasn’t fairly been capable of cement himself as a first-grade dummy-half. The challenge the Eels are going through although is the actual fact there’s no top-line No.9s obtainable for subsequent season. Jake Turpin tops the listing of hookers with no deal for subsequent season, whereas there’s additionally the versatile Nu Brown, who may also cowl lock and fill in at five-eighth if want be. But whether or not they carry rather more than what the Eels can get out of Lussick is up for debate.

Coming: N/A