Eels nail signings despite minimal movement in transfer market

Parramatta has had a good off-season in the recruitment market but Corey Norman’s departure leaves a big hole in their playmaking ranks. FULL ROSTER ANALYSIS

• Roster rater: Bulldogs look to future with fresh squad
• Roster rater: Dragons set for premiership assault

Star playmaker Corey Norman has left Parramatta in a move that will shake-up the Eels’ spine.

While Parramatta haven’t made vast amounts of off-season transfers, the few that they have appear to be bang on the money.

The blue and golds look to have made extremely efficient signings for 2019 that could go a long way to solving their woes of the season prior.

Here’s how the Eels roster is shaping up ahead of the 2019 NRL season.

Parramatta Eels 2019 roster analysis.

Full squad

Daniel Alvaro, Nathan Brown, Andrew Davey, Kane Evans, Blake Ferguson, Bevan French, David Gower, Clinton Gutherson, Josh Hoffman, George Jennings, Michael Jennings, Oregon Kaufusi, Shaun Lane, Gregory Leleisiuao, Manu Ma’u, Tim Mannah, Tepai Moeroa, Mitchell Moses, Marata Niukore, Junior Paulo, Kaysa Pritchard, Maika Saivo, Jaeman Salmon, Will Smith, Raymond Stone, Brad Taikarangi, Peni Terepo.

Ins

Andrew Davey (2019), Blake Ferguson (Sydney Roosters, 2021), Shaun Lane (Manly Sea Eagles, 2020), Junior Paulo (Canberra Raiders, 2022), Maika Sivo (Penrith Panthers, 2020)

Outs

Kirisome Auva’a (retired), Kenny Edwards (Catalan Dragons), Cameron King (released), Suaia Matagi (Huddersfield Giants), Beau Scott (retired), Tony Williams (released), Corey Norman (Dragons)

Blake Ferguson looks an exceptional signing for the Eels. (Photo by Tony Feder/Getty Images)

Recruitment strength

Junior Paulo and Blake Ferguson are perfect inclusions into a side that struggled for go forward last season, while Shaun Lane will add another attacking dimension on either edge. Parramatta appear to be major winners on the recruitment front.

Best 17

1. Clint Gutherson, 2. George Jennings, 3. Michael Jennings, 4. Brad Taikarangi 5. Blake Ferguson, 6. Corey Norman, 7. Mitchell Moses, 8. Junior Paulo, 9. Kaysa Pritchard, 10.Daniel Alvaro, 11. Manu Ma’u, 12. Shaun Lane, 13. Nathan Brown. Interchange: 14. Peni Terepo, 15. Marata Niukore, 16. Tim Mannah, 17. Will Smith

Junior Paulo will add stacks of punch up the middle. Picture: Richard Dobson

Forwards

Parramatta lacked a genuine power forward last season, making Junior Paulo an enormous addition in the front-row, while Shaun Lane adds a major attacking threat in the back-row. The pack looks beautifully balanced with a strong rotation off the bench. Daniel Alvaro picked up Parramatta’s player of the year gong last season, while Peni Terepo had his best year in the NRL and will provide plenty of energy off the bench.

Backs

The Eels’ biggest downfall in 2018 was their lack of go-forward out of their own half provided by their back five. Blake Ferguson ran for the most metres of any player in the NRL last season, making him the perfect signing to slot in on the wing. Jarryd Hayne’s future in the NRL appears more unlikely by the day. George Jennings had a breakout season last year, while brother Michael’s experience will again prove invaluable.

Mitchell Moses needs a big year to lift Parramatta into finals contention. (AAP Image/Darren Pateman)

Spine

The departure of Corey Norman changes the entire dynamic of the Eels. It may not prove too harmful to the side, with Norman failing to gel with Mitchell Moses last season. His exit does leave a sizeable chunk of class and experience out of the halves with the largely untested Jaeman Salmon likely to earn a starting berth. Salmon impressed in limited opportunity at the back end of 2018, so additional time in the top grade will prove valuable for his development. The issue will be around the amount of time it takes for Salmon to forge a combination alongside Moses and fullback Clint Gutherson. With Gutherson fully fit after returning from an ACL injury, hopefully Parramatta can click in their gifted spine. It’s hard to believe we’ve seen anywhere near the best of Kaysa Pritchard who has had injuries plague his short career. The highly touted Dylan Brown could also press for a halves spot should he impress throughout preseason.

Where they’re lacking

It sounds like a vague overview, but Parramatta were a completely dysfunctional unit last season. On paper their 1-17 looks strong enough to figure prominently in finals football, but the side must learn to operate as a team. The spine needs to get on the same page and lead the charge, while the rejuvenated pack must create a platform for the playmakers to weave their magic. Hopefully Arthur gets his group gelling off the park which will allow for the talented roster to flourish on the field. Another strike centre added to the roster before the beginning of the season would be an enormous pick-up.

Every Test, ODI & T20I live, ad-break free during play and in 4K. Only on Foxtel. SIGN UP TODAY!