Parramatta Eels NRL coach Ricky Stuart reveals mass player axings for next season

THE biggest clean-out in Parramatta's history was a month in the making, but the victims had no idea until they fronted their executioner.

THE biggest clean-out in Parramatta's history was a month in the making, but the victims had no idea until they fronted their executioner.

The only clue was buried in the middle of this week's football department schedule, distributed to the squad last Friday and advising of a "team meeting" with coach Ricky Stuart yesterday morning.

It's understood about 30 players attended, with the attendees split into three distinct groups - Yes, No and Maybe.

The Daily Telegraph understands seven players were told they definitely weren't in Stuart's plans beyond this season, while five could earn a reprieve should their form drastically improve over the second half of 2013.

Co-captain Reni Maitua, backrower Ben Smith and hooker Matt Keating were the highest profile recipients of the bad news.

The other players to be read the riot act were: Willie Tonga, Ben Roberts, Luke Kelly, Cheyse Blair, Daniel Harrison, Nathan Smith, Pat O'Hanlon and Matt Ryan.

Eels staff also witnessed several players leave the meeting with red eyes.

Contracted for another season, Maitua was appointed to share the on-field captaincy with Jarryd Hayne just three months ago after developing into a father figure for the younger players.

It's understood he was one of the players who could still figure in Stuart's reckoning for 2014, along with Keating, Ryan and Tonga.

Eels insiders said Maitua was deeply disappointed on hearing the news yesterday morning, and felt he could withdraw from tomorrow night's home clash against the Roosters. He declined to comment last night.

But sources close to the second rower said he respected Stuart's honesty and would definitely tackle the Roosters.

Smith had already entered preliminary discussions about retirement or finishing his career in the UK.

Stuart failed to return calls, and was last night engaged as guest of honour for Sony's State of Origin corporate function at ANZ Stadium.

He has held deep concerns about the quality of the playing roster he inherited from predecessor Steve Kearney for several months.

Eels insiders said Stuart was poised to wield the axe on several occasions in a bid to start afresh and give the victims as much time as possible to resurrect careers elsewhere.

"But he kept giving them the benefit of the doubt - until Mudgee," the insider said.

Mudgee was the scene of Parramatta's last-up game and their worst performance of 2013 - a 42-4 drubbing against the Gold Coast.

Stuart said several players weren't up to NRL standard after the loss, but it was left to Eels CEO Ken Edwards to explain the exodus in a direct e-mail to members yesterday.

A large number of his staff weren't aware of the development until the e-mail hit their inboxes just after lunch-time.

"Today the Eels declare enough is enough," Edwards wrote. "Some of the players are off-contract at the end of this year and others are contracted until 2014, but have been told they are not part of the club's plans moving forward and have been offered early releases."