“The hunted”: An important cavalry return gives Arthur a huge boost as he battles for his future — an Eels season preview
After missing the finals in 2023, Michael Ennis thinks the Eels can return to their peak, with Dylan Brown and Shaun Lane playing major roles in a significant comeback season.
The Eels lost several important players from their 2022 Grand Final team, and they lacked the depth to get past injuries and suspensions during the previous campaign.
Ennis told foxsports.com.au, “I think Parramatta had an interesting year last year.”
“After winning the championship game the previous year, they had lost some important players in Mahoney, Niukore, and Papali’i.
It took Parramatta some time to adjust after they lost a few important players. They then experienced some suspensions and injuries as they were beginning to adjust.
“Shaun Lane was absent from the team following his successful season the previous year.
“Not having Dylan Brown for a few weeks was a major blow for them.
On its day, that left-side combination is on par with any in the competition.
It will be crucial for them to have those two back in the lineup on a regular basis.
“I think we will see some huge improvement from Parramatta because they had a great season last year with Garrett and Brown back there.”
For 2024, the Eels made a wise recruiting choice when they acquired Morgan Harper and Kelma Tuilagi from the Sea Eagles.
Ennis thinks that with more depth in the forward and outside back positions, the Eels have a stronger team on paper.
Ennis stated, “Kelum Tuilagi and Morgan Harper will improve the squad. The Eels have lacked depth when injuries strike.”
“They had trouble staying consistent at Manly, but when they’re on their game, they’re elite athletes who will foster healthy competition for spots, which pushes players to put in their best effort and advance.”
There is pressure on Eels coach Brad Arthur, who is in his contract year in 2024 and has only appeared in one Grand Final during his 11 full seasons with the team.
Ennis has faith that Arthur can rise to the occasion and lead the team back into the top eight.
Ennis declared, “Brad Arthur is a great coach, he really is.”
He dedicates his entire being to that team, and having reached the grand final in the past, I know how tough it can be the following year.
“Parties follow people, which is why groups like Melbourne, the Roosters, and Penrith, in particular, are so commendable for what they have accomplished.
“Being the hunted and having important men get injured, along with changes due to guys leaving, is a real challenge.
“For Parramatta, it was just one of those years, but coaches are under constant pressure.” Brad has faced similar challenges in the past and has persevered, so I predict that he will do so this year as well.
Here, foxsports.com.au examines every important aspect of the Eels for the 2024 season.
Halfs. The Eels, barring the Storm and the Panthers for another season, have the best halves tandem in the NRL, and they may surpass them in the future. Moses, an NRL halfback entering 2024, is 29 years old, has played 217 games, is at the top of his game, and has one of the best kicking careers in the league. Brown, who is still only 23 years old, will play in Round 1 for the 100th time. He still has a lot of growth left in him, which is concerning for the other NRL players. The two have individually shown purple patches of form, but if they can both make the same mistake at the same moment, as they did on the charge to
Dylan Brown. Due to the New Zealand five-eighth’ssexualtouching ban from the previous season, the Eels struggled to make the finals without him. Although Brown cannot be held completely responsible for their bad season, he will be driven to make up for it to his teammates in 2024. Now is Brown’s chance to live up to his high price tag after he inked a monster extension with the Eels that runs through the end of 2031. Since the Eels are no longer fortunate to have a creative dummyhalf, Brown must do a better job of setting up opportunities for his teammates and being a more reliable playmaker when working with Moses.
Hands of Brendan. Since Reed Mahoney defected to the Bulldogs in 2023, the Eels have had difficulty replacing the void that was left. Josh Hodgson signed a two-year contract, but because of an injury, he was medically retired. Brendan Hands, 24, who played 19 games for the club in his rookie NRL season, was brought to the team from Penrith. While Hands was good but not outstanding, the team added Joey Lussick to strengthen their dummyhalf depth after he returned from the Super League. Next season, the Eels will probably start hands and Lussick together, though it’s unclear who will start and who will come off the bench.
Sean Russell. Russell made his debut in 2021 and had a few injury setbacks before managing nine tries in 17 games the following season, turning into an Eels mainstay on the wing. Russell, who is only 21 years old, has a high ceiling despite being able to play fullback in the event that Clint Gutherson becomes hurt or needs a break. Russell appears destined to be Maika Sivo’s wing partner in 2024, and together they should score a lot of points off of this defense.
Bailey Simonsson (2024), Blaize Talagi (2024, PO 2025), Brendan Hands (2025), Bryce Cartwright (2025), Clint Gutherson (2025), Daejarn Asi (2024), Dylan Brown (2025, PO 2031), Haze Dunster (2024, MO 2025), Jirah Momoisea (2024), J’maine Hopgood (2025), Joey Lussick (2025), Joe Ofahengaue (2025), Junior Paulo (2026), Maika Tuilagi (2024), Makahesi Makatoa (2024), Matt Doorey (2025), Mitchell Moses (2026, PO 2029), Morgan Harper (2024), Ofahiki Ogden (2024), Reagan Campbell-Gillard (2025), Ryan Matterson (2025, PO 2026), Sean Russell (2025), Shaun Lane (2025, MO 2026), Tevita Taumoepenu (2024), Will Penisini (2025, PO 2026), Wiremu Greig (2025), Zac Cini (2024)
Players in development: Charlie Guymer (2024), Luca Moretti (2025), Jock Brazel (2024), Ethan Sanders (2024), Sam
Charlie Guymer (2024), Ethan Sanders (2024), Jock Brazel (2024), Luca Moretti (2025), and Sam Tuivaiti (2025) are the players in development.
Gains for the Sea Eagles in 2024: Morgan Harper and Kelma Tuilagi
Losses for 2024: Waqa Blake (St Helens), Samuel Loizou (unsigned), Josh Hodgson (retired), Andrew Davey (retired), and Jack Murchie (Huddersfield).
