Parramatta 2021 NRL season preview: Why hooker Reed Mahoney can take Eels to new level

It was so close yet so far for the Eels again in 2020. But if a key forward can add an attacking threat to his game then they could go all the way in 2021. FULL SEASON PREVIEW.

Mitchell Moses in action for the Eels. Picture: Jono Searle/Getty Images

Brad Arthur’s Parramatta will be put under the microscope again in 2021 after last year’s finals exit put the Eels’ win-loss record at 1-5 under his reign.

Who needs to step up in order for the team to go deeper in finals this season?

Let’s take a look.

LIST CHANGES

2020 ladder position: Third, eliminated in week two of the finals by South Sydney

Ins: Keegan Hipgrave, Bryce Cartwright (Titans), Michael Oldfield (Raiders), Nathaniel Roache (Warriors – development squad), Tom Opacic (Cowboys), Isaiah Papali’i (Warriors), Joey Lussick (Salford)

Outs: Kane Evans (Warriors), David Gower (retired), Andrew Davey (Sea Eagles), George Jennings (Storm), Stefano Utoikamanu (Tigers), Jai Field (Wigan)

Players in the 2020 Rich 100: 10 — 10. Mitchell Moses ($830,000), 24. Reagan Campbell-Gillard ($800,000), 34. Clint Gutherson ($750,000), 63. Junior Paulo ($650,000), 83. Waqa Blake ($550,000), 86. Maika Sivo ($550,000), 89. Dylan Brown ($520,000), 91. Ryan Matterson ($500,000), 97. Michael Jennings ($500,000), 98. Blake Ferguson ($500,000)

Parramatta coach Brad Arthur will be under pressure if the Eels fall short of expectations in 2021. Picture: Brett Costello

COACH STATUS

Brad Arthur’s deal was extended until the end of 2022 last August, but his finals record has raised questions as to whether he is the right man to lead the Eels deep into the post-season. Arthur has one win and five losses from six finals games.

THE GAME PLAN

Parramatta tended to find success when their powerful forward pack was able to create that all important go forward and in turn some second-phase play.

They created plenty of issues for opposition defences when they had that forward momentum.

That creates a domino effect and brings the spine into play and allows the likes of Dylan Brown, Mitchell Moses and Clint Gutherson into the game and then potent back weapons like Maika Sivo.

But the Eels had a habit of going into their shells and not moving the ball around when momentum was against them. It’s an area in their game that Arthur must address.

Can Dylan Brown take his game to another level next season? Picture: Brett Costello

THE SIGNINGS

Former New Zealand Warriors forward Isaiah Papali’i and Gold Coast Titans hardman Keegan Hipgrave offer great value and depth to their forwards after the losses of Kane Evans and rising prop Stefano Utoikamanu.

While Joey Lussick and Nathaniel Roache offer much-needed back-up for Reed Mahoney at hooker, who would have missed at least eight games with a foot injury if it wasn’t for the Covid shutdown after round two in late March.

Bryce Cartwright is a gamble but comes on a cut-price deal. Michael Oldfield, Jordan Rankin and Tom Opacic offer an upgrade in back-up options.

Keegan Hipgrave has added depth to Parramatta’s forward stocks since arriving from the Titans. Picture: AAP Image/Dan Peled

THE KIDS

Haze Dunster debuted against Souths in their semi-final defeat and the youngster will get first crack at replacing Michael Jennings, who has been provisionally suspended after a failed drugs test.

Tall and skilful, the Eels’ patient approach with Dunster will come to the fore next season after he was upgraded from a development contract and into the top 30 for 2021.

The Eels have high opinions of props David Hollis and Sam Hughes and both are making huge strides in their development.

Hollis’ hulking frame and ability to bend the line has seen comparisons drawn with the likes of Knights prop and former Parramatta junior David Klemmer.

Hughes, a Cronulla Sharks junior, is mobile and has a large motor for a body his size.

While 2021 may be a year early to see much of them in the NRL do expect the pair to feature in Arthur’s 21-man squad during the season.

Haze Dunster is expected to get more opportunity in Michael Jennings’ absence. Picture: James Gourley/The Sunday Telegraph

THE REINVENTIONS

MARATA NIUKORE

With Nathan Brown at lock and Shaun Lane and Ryan Matterson locking down the starting back-row slots, Niukore needs to emerge as a gamebreaker from the bench.

Someone who can come onto the field, bend and break the line, get the defence on the back foot and open up the game for the likes of Reed Mahoney, Dylan Brown, Mitch Moses and Clint Gutherson.

Marata Niukore must become a gambreaker for the Eels. Picture: AAP Image/Darren England

BRYCE CARTWRIGHT

At NRL level Cartwright, who has ample natural ball playing ability, has been tried in five different positions — bench, second row, lock, five-eighth and centre.

It’s now Arthur’s job to either mould Cartwright into the ultimate supersub or bite the bullet and get the best out of the 26-year old as a genuine edge back-rower, where he puts away thoughts of being an oversized playmaker and impresses himself on the opposition defence.

THE NEXT STEP

DYLAN BROWN

Still just 20, all the young Kiwi needs is experience.

Brown is already a strong ball runner and with Andrew Johns’ coaching he can improve his organisational skills to become one of the league’s premier halves.

Can hooker Reed Mahoney add an attacking string to his bow? Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

REED MAHONEY

Mahoney’s effort areas and general work ethic on the field cannot be questioned, but the young hooker must find an attacking threat in his game to make the Eels a more dangerous proposition.

THE EXPERT ANALYSIS

Parramatta’s 3rd place finish was their best season since 2005, but 2020 seems like a case of what might have been for the Eels.

Through 15 rounds they were conceding a miserly 11.7 points per game – the best in the competition, but things seemed to go awry at the back end of the year, leaking almost 27 points per game in their final seven matches.

Their attack will also come under some off season scrutiny, as they averaged just 13.9 points per game against the other top 8 sides.

Clint Gutherson is certainly in Parramatta’s starting side. Picture: David Hossack/NRL Photos

THE BEST 17 FOR NEXT YEAR

Clint Gutherson, Maika Sivo, Waqa Blake, Haze Dunster, Blake Ferguson, Dylan Brown, Mitchell Moses, Junior Paulo, Reed Mahoney, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Shaun Lane, Ryan Matterson, Nathan Brown, Bryce Cartwright, Isaiah Papali’i, Marata Niukore, Oregon Kaufusi.

2021 SQUAD

Daniel Alvaro, Waqa Blake, Dylan Brown, Nathan Brown, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Bryce Cartwright, Blake Ferguson, Clint Gutherson, Keegan Hipgrave, Michael Jennings (stood down), Oregon Kaufusi, Shaun Lane, Joey Lussick, Reed Mahoney, Ryan Matterson, Mitchell Moses, Marata Niukore, Michael Oldfield, Tom Opacic, Isaiah Papali’i, Junior Paulo, Jordan Rankin, Nathaniel Roache, Maika

Finish the last five years: 14th, 4th, Last, 5th, 3rd

Odds are: TAB premiership: $15, Top-four finish: $3.50, Top-8 finish: $1.70, Most losses: $34

Sivo, Will Smith

Originally published as Parramatta 2021 NRL season preview: Why hooker Reed Mahoney can take Eels to new level