NRL report cards: Ongoing frustration haunts Parramatta Eels

They’re a regular top-eight side now but Parramatta can’t take an important step. We run the rule over the sides whose NRL seasons have come to an end.

MACKAY, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 18: Reagan Campbell-Gillard of the Eels looks dejected after defeat during the NRL Semifinal match between the Penrith Panthers and the Parramatta Eels at BB Print Stadium on September 18, 2021 in Mackay, Australia. (Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images)

The 2021 season is over for 12 NRL teams. David Riccio & Michael Carayannis dissect where it went wrong, and how they’ll go about making it right in 2022

ROOSTERS

Grade: A

Gains: Connor Watson (Knights)

Losses: Boyd Cordner (retired), Jake Friend (retired), Isaac Liu (Gold Coast Titans), Brett Morris (retired), Josh Morris (retired)

Yet to be re-signed: Dale Copley

What cost them in 2021: Injuries. Quite simply. No side was decimated as much as the Roosters – especially given the number of high profile players who were sidelined.

Why can they push beyond the second week of the finals in 2022: Staying fit will be a big help. Sam Walker will get to partner Luke Keary in the halves next season. The likes of Walker, Fletcher Baker and Joseph Suaalii will benefit hugely from the exposure to the NRL they had this year.

Headline coming their way: Trent Robinson signs bumper new five-year contract extension.

Roosters coach Trent Robinson: “We’re a greater Roosters club than what we were at the start of 2021. They’ve done our club proud. We’re a stronger club because of the way that they’ve acted this year and the way that they’ve gone about it.”

EELS

Grade: B

Gains: Nil

Losses: Joey Lussick (St Helens)

Yet to be re-signed: Blake Ferguson, Samuel Hughes, Michael Oldfield, Jordan Rankin, Will Smith.

What cost them in 2021: The inability to again win big moments. The Eels’ failed to progress past the second week of the finals and that is an ongoing frustration.

Why can they push beyond the second week of the finals in 2022: They keep their squad largely in tact heading into next season. Throw in the return of hooker Reed Mahoney from injury and they might be able to push at least one week further.

Headline coming their way: A host of big names fail to re-sign as pressure mounts on coach Brad Arthur.

Eels coach Brad Arthur: “We’ll go again next year. It is what it is, we have to move on, we had our chances.”

KNIGHTS

Grade: B-

Gains: Dane Gagai (Rabbitohs), Adam Clune (Dragons)

Losses: Connor Watson (Roosters), Josh King (Melbourne)

Yet to be re-signed: Phoenix Crossland, Tex Hoy, Edrick Lee

What cost them in 2021: Injuries and a lack of resolve. The Knights showed great backbone when things went against them last year but they couldn’t replicate that this year. Injuries didn’t help.

Why they can push beyond the first week of the finals in 2022: Injury free and a growing combination of Jake Clifford and Kalyn Ponga. The Saifiti twins continue to improve while Dane Gagai will be a great addition outside.

Headline coming they way: Knights in search for new half with Mitchell Pearce on the move.

Knights coach Adam O’Brien: “I’ve got a shattered dressing room. They fought so hard and I’m really proud of them. We’d like to have the five minutes before half-time back again. We switched off mentally and it cost us a couple of tries.”

TITANS

Grade: B

Gains: Isaac Liu (Roosters), Paul Turner (Warriors), Aaron Booth (Melbourne)

Losses: Jai Whitbread (Leigh), Sam Stone (Leigh), Anthony Don (retirement)

Yet to be re-signed: Darius Farmer, Tyrone Peachey, Jonus Pearson, Mitch Rein, Treymain Spry, Ashley Taylor.

What cost them in 2021: Their spine. It just can’t compete with the competition heavyweights. Desperately need to find a gun hooker.

Why they can push beyond the first week of the finals in 2022: The emergence of Jayden Campbell late in the season should switch AJ Brimson into the halves. That combination could help spark the team.

Headline coming their way: Titans go all out for Brandon Smith.

Titans coach Justin Holbrook: “We just couldn’t get it done again. It’s a massive learning curve. There’s no harder learning curve than ending your season by a point. It’s a big driving force for next year. We’ve got to get better.”

SHARKS

Grade: B

Gains: Dale Finucane (Storm), Nicho Hynes (Storm), Cameron McInness (Dragons)

Losses: Shaun Johnson (Warriors), Chad Townsend (Warriors/Cowboys).

Yet to be re-signed: Will Chambers, Josh Dugan, Nene Macdonald, Billy Magoulias, Kyle Patterson, Aiden Tolman, Aaron Woods

What cost them in 2021: Inability to beat the teams above them which has been a common theme for the Sharks in recent seasons.

Why can they make the Top 8 in 2022: New coach and some star signings. The Sharks are building nicely and should push for a finals spot.

Headline coming their way: “Fitzgibbon lands star Roosters in first blow with tricolours”.

Sharks interim coach Josh Hannay: “If you look back at all our games, I don’t know what it is – 20 minutes after half-time is for some reason our worst.”

BULLDOGS

Grade: E

Gains: Josh Addo-Carr (Storm), Matt Burton (Panthers), Matt Dufty (Dragons), Paul Vaughan (Dragons), Brent Naden (Panthers), Tevita Pangai Jnr (Broncos/Panthers)

Losses: Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (Warriors), Nick Meaney (Storm), Will Hopoate (St Helens), Renouf Atoni (Roosters), Adam Elliott (released), Lachlan Lewis (released), Dean Britt (released), Sione Katoa (released), Dylan Napa (released), Chris Smith (released), Brad Deitz (released).

Yet to be re-signed: Christian Crichton.

What cost them in 2021: Plenty. Must address off-field standards after several player-behaviour issues. Have taken a strong stand by releasing Adam Elliott following latest off-field incident. At times a rabble of listless defence, lifeless attack and inconsistent selections.

Why they can make the Top 8 in 2022: The arrival of speed, power and class in Addo-Carr, Burton, Pangai Jnr, Naden and Dufty.

Headline coming their way: “Bulldogs free-up salary cap space to offer Panthers star Viliame Kikau million-dollar deal”.

Bulldogs coach Trent Barrett: “We have recruited some good players but I still think we have a hell of a lot of work to do in the pre-season.’’

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BRONCOS

Grade: C-

Gains: Adam Reynolds (Rabbitohs), Kurt Capewell (Panthers), Brenko Lee (Storm), Corey Jensen (Cowboys).

Losses: Matt Lodge (Warriors), Tevita Pangai Junior (Panthers/Bulldogs), Dale Copley (Roosters), Xavier Coates (Storm), Anthony Milford (Rabbitohs), Brodie Croft (Salford), Alex Glenn (retired), Danny Levi (released)

Yet to be re-signed: John Asiata, Ethan Bullemor, Richie Kennar, Danny Levi, Tesi Niu, Ben Teo.

What cost them in 2021: Defence abysmal, conceding 116 tries and 673pts – the worst ever – into final round.

Why they can make the Top 8 in 2022: Reynolds’ arrival will provide a game manager. Capewell’s experience boosts a pack led by Payne Haas. Hopefully they can get more than four games out of Kotoni Staggs.

Headline coming their way: “Back him or Sack him”: Kevin Walters’ future as coach to be decided with 2022 final year of his contract.

GM of football Ben Ikin: “If you have a good group of senior players in the right positions, you can get more out of your emerging talent than you may have been hoping for under the salary cap.’’

COWBOYS

Grade: D-

Gains: Tom Dearden (Broncos), Peta Hiku (Warriors), Chad Townsend (Sharks)

Losses: Michael Morgan (retirement), Justin O’Neill (retirement), Jake Clifford (Knights), Esan Marsters (Titans), Francis Molo (Dragons), Corey Jensen (Broncos), Shane Wright (Salford)

Yet to be re-signed: Nil.

What cost them in 2021: The criticism of Jason Taumalolo by coach Todd Payten was a terrible way to start the season. It created a vibe of uncertainty. Defence was woeful, conceding 702 points going into the final game.

Why they can make the Top 8 in 2022: They can’t unless their big guns, including Valentine Holmes, Taumalolo and Townsend, fire consistently.

Headline coming their way: “Cowboys abort fullback plans for Valentine Holmes making him the highest-paid centre in the game”.

Cowboys coach Todd Payten: “We’ve got one spot left (on our roster) and there might be some movement coming over the next month. We have an appetite to bolster our pack.’’

WESTS TIGERS

Grade: D

Gains: Jackson Hastings (Wigan), Oliver Gildart (Wigan)

Losses: Moses Mbye (Dragons), Billy Walters (Broncos), Russell Packer (retired)

Yet to be re-signed: Tom Amone, Michael Chee Kam, Zac Cini, Joey Leilua, James Roberts

What cost them in 2021: A lot. And the pain will only grow with their one genuine star Adam Doueihi sidelined for the first three months of next season. Desperately need to land a marquee player.

Why they can make the eight next year: The Tigers’ future rests in the next crop of stars. The likes of Daine Laurie, Stefano Utoikamanu, Shawn Blore, and Tommy Talau have shown they can be good first graders.

Headline coming their way: “Review decides Michael Maguire’s future”.

Chief executive Justin Pascoe: “As a club we are disappointed with the season. The Tigers fans can certainly be excited about the future of our undefeated Jersey Flegg side and our reserve-grade side finishing second. We are also looking forward to our roster, which is the youngest in the NRL.”

DRAGONS

Grade: C

Gains: Jaydn Su’A (Rabbitohs), Francis Molo (Cowboys), Moses Mbye (Tigers), George Burgess (Wigan).

Losses: Cameron McInnes (Sharks), Jordan Pereira (Broncos), Matt Dufty (Bulldogs), Paul Vaughan (Bulldogs), Kaide Ellis (Wigan), Brayden Wiliame (French rugby), Adam Clune (Newcastle).

Yet to be re-signed: Gerard Beale, Billy Brittain, Corey Norman.

What they’re missing: How their spine will shape up. Tyrell Sloan is an emerging superstar and will get first crack at fullback but there are questions if he can handle week to week football. Ben Hunt’s halves partner will come down to Talatau Amone or Jayden Sullivan.

Why they can make the eight next year: Have unearthed some real talent in Tyrell Sloan, Talatau Amone and Jayden Sullivan. If they can sign Moses Suli during an already aggressive transfer market period, they will go into next year confident.

Headline coming their way: “Anthony Griffin given six games to push for extension”.

Dragons chief executive Ryan Webb: “It was a disappointing season and one where we encountered a lot of challengers — many which were self-inflicted. We will take an honest look at where we need to improve and address that. The improvements won’t happen by accident.”

WARRIORS

Grade: B

Gains: Shaun Johnson (Cronulla), Aaron Pene (Melbourne).

Losses: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (rugby), Chad Townsend (Cowboys), Peta Hiku (Cowboys), Paul Turner (Titans)

Yet to be re-signed: Leeson Ah Mau, Tom Ale, Jackson Frei, Sean O’Sullivan

What cost them in 2021: Aside from a home ground, the question marks remain for the Warriors around their halves. Shaun Johnson returns but Kodi Nikorima and Chanel Harris-Tevita have had up-and-down seasons.

Why they can make the top eight in 2022: They are building the club off youngster Reece Walsh. A remarkable season given he is only 19 and was picked for Origin despite not having a pre-season with the Warriors.

Headline coming their way: “Warriors finally play matches in NZ”.

Warriors coach Nathan Brown: “Our season has hinged on our inability to close out or win games in the last five minutes. Pretty much apart from a couple of games against Melbourne, South Sydney and the Roosters, we have been in a position to win every game with five to go. Sometimes we have sometimes we haven’t.”

RAIDERS

Grade: D

Gains: None

Losses: George Williams (Warrington), Curtis Scott (released, 2021), Siliva Havili (released), Caleb Atkins (released)

Yet to be re-signed: Sia Soliola, Matt Frawley, Albert Hopoate, Dunamis Lui, Sam Williams

What cost them in 2021: Off-field turmoil and big guns failing to fire. The ugly departure of George Williams, inconsistent form of stars Josh Hodgson and Jack Wighton and only seven games from Charnze Nicoll-Klokstaad.

Why they can make the top-eight in 2022: If they secure an experienced playmaker, they have a host of young talent that are on an upward trend.

Headline coming their way: “Green and Brown – Raiders target Eels half Dylan Brown”.

Raiders CEO Don Furner: “It was a disappointing end to the season, which was a very frustrating season.’’

Originally published as NRL report cards: Ongoing frustration haunts Parramatta Eels