Parramatta young gun Ethan Parry off contract and being targeted by rival clubs

He played Australian Schoolboys and NSW U/20s and scored on debut for Parramatta, but where will Ethan Parry be in 2021? Rivals are circling the Eels’ next big thing.

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Parramatta young gun Ethan Parry has been approached about making a shock departure from the club he joined as a schoolboy prodigy, with several NRL rivals circling the first Eel to score on debut in 10 years.

A 2017 Australian Schoolboy, Parry catapulted into the headlines last season after he not only scored a sensational try on debut against Manly Sea Eagles, but then doubled down again a week later against the Warriors.

While long considered a Next Big Thing by Eels insiders, the promising Werris Creek product remains uncontracted beyond 2020 and is now attracting interest from NRL rivals.

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Losing Ethan Parry would be a huge blow for Parramatta. Photo: Brett Costello

Only last year, the 20-year-old centre represented NSW U/20s alongside fellow Eels squad member Stefano Utoikamanu – who has since revealed he will be making a switch to Wests Tigers in 2021.

Parry also has a talented younger brother Cody, 15, debuting for the Eels Harold Matthews side this year after himself being signed from the bush on a four-year deal.

Quizzed on his future this week, the 97kg outside back said he remained hopeful of staying at the club where he has spent four years rising through the ranks, including bagging three tries in an Eels SG Ball grand final win.

“I’m still in negotiations with Parramatta and would love to stay here,” Parry said.

The rookie scores on debut against Manly last season. Photo: Brett Costello

“The Eels have done right by me ever since I was a young fella — coming down here at age 15 — so I want to stay if I can. But I guess it all depends on what the market offers.

“There are a few clubs interested and I’m in a bit of a predicament here in terms of where I can fit in.

“In the outside backs, we’ve got Blake Ferguson, Maika Sivo, Waqa Blake and Michael Jennings, with Brad Takairangi able to play centres too. So that isn’t ideal for me given I only have a couple of games.

“But this year I’m willing to work hard and wait for an opportunity to come. When something happens I want to be ready.

“That’s what I did last year. Just kept training my arse off and then the break came when Fergo got injured.”

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Parry added that his own future would have no impact on younger brother Cody, who also plays in the outside backs.

“I want Cody to be his own person,” he said. “He doesn’t need to be following in my footsteps, or anything like that. He’ll make his own name.

“So I don’t really mind where he’s at. I just want Cody doing whatever makes him feel happy.”

Elsewhere, Parry admitted that while some pressure came with being uncontracted beyond 2020, he had already set the goal of playing at least five NRL games this year.

The immediate playing future of Sivo, who has an indecent assault charge against him, remains clouded, while Ferguson could also miss games throughout the year as part of Brad Fittler’s NSW Origin side.

Originally published as Parramatta young gun Ethan Parry off contract and being targeted by rival clubs