NRL 2024 scouting report: Parramatta Eels burning issues, roster breakdown, debutants

The only team to beat Penrith twice couldn’t make the finals. Now, PAUL CRAWLEY reveals what Parramatta must do to return to NRL finals after a horror 2023.

Paul Crawley

4 min read

January 7, 2024 - 4:00PM

News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom

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If Parramatta can avoid another season of self sabotage, they have the ability to re-establish themselves as premiership contenders.

The only team to beat premiers Penrith twice last season somehow failed to make the top eight, despite being grand finalists in 2022.

Now, the Eels will need their new recruits to provide competition for places and their next generation of young talent to make the step up to NRL level if they’re to emerge from an ultra-competitive group of chasing teams.

PAUL CRAWLEY breaks down Parramatta’s roster, burning issues and their expectations for 2024.

2023 RICH 100 REPS: Mitchell Moses (10, $1.05 million), Clint Gutherson (14, $950,000), Junior Paulo (18, $950,000), Dylan Brown (32, $800,000), Reagan Campbell-Gillard (42, $750,000), Waqa Blake (68, $650,000), Ryan Matterson (86, $600,000)

Eels centre Will Penisini. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

FREE AGENCY WRAP AND RATING

Relatively quiet in the player market but picked up some shrewd buys in experienced centre Morgan Harper and talented backrower Kelma Tuilagi.

Highly rated Panthers junior Ryley Smith joins the club, adding huge interest to the hooking debate after Josh Hodgson’s retirement.

Still on the hunt for an X-factor weapon that could potentially see Clint Gutherson (below) move to the centres long term.

Even if that doesn’t eventuate, this is a squad with enough strike power and experience to challenge for the premiership, with some boom youngsters on the horizon led by Ethan Sanders, Charlie Guymer and Blaize Talagi.

RATING: B

Brad Arthur faces further challenges in 2024. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

COACH STATUS AND SAFETY RATING: BRAD ARTHUR (2025)

Arthur has done a tremendous job rebuilding Parramatta since taking over in 2014, and thoroughly earned his contract extension on the back of the 2022 grand final appearance.

While that has since seen him overtake Brian Smith as the club’s longest-serving coach, the pressure is on for the team to start fast to avoid any unwanted speculation after completely missing the 2023 finals.

SAFETY RATING: B

LIKELY DEBUTANTS

Charlie Guymer, Blaize Talagi, Sam Tuivaiti: Guymer is a tough back-rower from the NSW Riverina town of Temora, which has proved an outstanding rugby league nursery over the years. Was a NSW under-19s representative and one of the Blues’ best in 2023. Has plenty of competition ahead of him but definitely a player of the future.

Talagi is one of the game’s most hyped teenagers who can play in the halves or centres. Has been identified as an NRL star of the future who looks to have the talent and the physical presence to make his mark soon.

Tuivaiti is another outstanding young forward emerging through the pathways who has been likened to a young Junior Paulo. Again, there is some stiff competition ahead of him but at some point an opportunity will come his way.

Rising young outside back Blaize Talagi. Picture: Jeremy Ng

WHO TAKES THE NEXT STEP

Dylan Brown & J’maine Hopgood: At 23, Brown is on track to play his 100th NRL game in round 1. Despite a disappointing club season, Brown finished on a high with a superb game in the Kiwis’ Pacific Championships win over the Kangaroos.

The issue is that a week earlier, Brown was hardly sighted in the lead-up loss to Australia.

But that final was another match where you watched Brown thinking this bloke has the potential to be the best five-eighth in the game if he ever really wants to be.

Hopgood has been a revelation after coming across from the Panthers where he was Isaah Yeo’s backup, but almost instantly put himself in the Queensland Origin conversation after a tremendous start to the season. Has an exceptional work rate and his ball-playing ability is top shelf. Would not surprise to see Hopgood go to another level with a full NRL season under his belt.

Lock J'Maine Hopgood has been a revelation. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

BURNINGS ISSUES

1. Can Brad Arthur finally be the coach to end the Eels’ premiership drought?

The difference between the very good coaches and the great ones is determined by premierships. That’s why Jack Gibson will always be remembered as Parramatta’s greatest coach, even though this will be Arthur’s 11th season in charge.

So it’s no wonder some fans are growing more restless as the seasons roll on. Although, there is no denying Arthur has been tremendous for the club; not only building a top-class NRL roster, but the talent coming through the pathways system should set up the Eels for years to come.

What Parramatta fans crave though, is success now. With a team featuring Mitchell Moses, Gutherson, Paulo, Brown, Shaun Lane and Ryan Matterson, the pieces are there for a title assault.

2. Why excuses won’t wash in 2024

The Eels are one of the few teams capable of beating the Panthers – which they did twice in 2023 – which tells you exactly why they should go into the new season as a genuine premiership threat.

There is no question this is a squad capable of bouncing back, after missing the top eight, to finish top four in 2024.

As long as they don’t self-sabotage like they did this past season on the back of a stack of self-inflicted suspensions that could have been easily avoided (think Ryan Matterson, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Dylan Brown and Maika Sivo).

Eels hooker Joey Lussick. Picture: Anthony Kourembanas/NRL Images

Battle of the No 9s

The Eels’ most intriguing positional battle will be who ultimately ends up owning the No.9 jumper. Joey Lussick is a wholehearted player, while former half Brendan Hands adjusted to his role tremendously well when taking over from English veteran Josh Hodgson.

But the wildcard in this will be young gun Smith, who potentially could be the pick of the three if the extremely gifted 20-year-old (who is also a talented cricketer) proves he is physically ready for the challenge.

CRYSTAL BALL

On paper, the Eels have a roster more than capable of finishing top four if they play to their potential.

But what complicates it is when you look at the quality of the other teams that also missed the top eight in 2023.

Which puts in perspective how tough the NRL competition is going to be in 2024, and why the Eels simply can’t afford to constantly shoot themselves in the foot as they did this past season when they were seriously their own worst enemies.