Jason Ryles has a massive job on his hands in his debut season as Parramatta head coach in 2025 after the Eels narrowly avoided picking up the wooden spoon during a disastrous year.
Brad Arthur paid the ultimate price for the continued slide down the ladder as the long-term figure at the club was axed just two months into the campaign.
"This is such an exciting opportunity for us as Jason…works to build and shape a new era for our club," Parramatta’s Chairman Sean McElduff said.
"You would have also seen that we have been building out our NRL squad for 2025 and we will have some further announcements on this in the coming weeks."
MORE: Which players are leaving the Panthers?
Which players have left the Parramatta Eels in 2024?
Seven players from out of the club’s top 30 squad will not be part of Ryles’ rebuild with Reagan Campbell-Gillard the headline name amongst these players.
The veteran prop was released with a year still remaining on his deal in order to take up an offer elsewhere with this year’s Ken Thornett Medal winner joining the Gold Coast.
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Daejarn Asi didn’t receive a contract renewal from the Eels despite playing 14 games as the club struggled without their injured talisman Mitch Moses.
However, it was the departure of Blaize Talagi which will sting the most after the talented rookie opted to knock back an offer from the club and move to rivals Penrith.
Fellow young guns Ethan Sanders and Matt Arthur left to move to Canberra and Newcastle, respectively.
Full list of Parramatta Eels departures
List accurate as of 8th October
| Player | New club |
|---|---|
| Ethan Sanders | Raiders |
| Blaize Talagi | Panthers |
| Reagan Campbell-Gillard | Titans |
| Zac Cini | Castleford Tigers |
| Daejarn Asi | TBC |
| Ofahiki Ogden | TBC |
| Makahesi Makatoa | TBC |
| Morgan Harper | TBC |
| Isaac Lumelume | TBC |
| Lorenzo Mulitalo | TBC |
Who have the Parramatta Eels signed for 2025?
In what turned out to be a parting gift from Brad Arthur, Zac Lomax agreed to join the club at the start of the year to play under the coach.
The St George Illawarra star had a standout campaign in 2024 after being moved from out of the centres and onto the wing.
The 25-year-old starred for New South Wales after making his State of Origin debut and will have to wait to meet his new teammates as he prepares to play for Australia in the Pacific Championships.
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Isaiah Iongi was also signed from the Panthers shortly after Talagi’s move the opposite way was confirmed.
Jack Williams has inked a deal after an extended stay in the Shire and Dean Hawkins will provide depth in the halves after leaving South Sydney.
Meanwhile, development players Charlie Guymer, Saxon Pryke and Richard Penisini have all had their deals extended for two more years until the end of the 2026 season.
