Eels the Souths of 2026 with $5 million of talent out
Jasper Bruce |
Injury carnage has made Parramatta the South Sydney of 2026, but the chance to hand another player his debut is giving coach Jason Ryles reason to stay positive.
Around $5 million worth of the Eels’ salary cap will miss the King’s Birthday clash against Canterbury through injury, including big names Mitch Moses (hamstring), Junior Paulo (knee), Will Penisini (groin), J’Maine Hopgood (knee) and Jonah Pezet (hamstring).
The situation has become so dire that the Eels lured Harrison Edwards from North Queensland mid-season, and rented a separate mini-bus to take all their injured players on the away trip to Newcastle last week.
With 10 players sidelined from Monday’s game, Ryles likened Parramatta’s situation to that facing the Rabbitohs last season.
Heavy hitters such as Latrell Mitchell, Campbell Graham, Brandon Smith, Cody Walker and Cam Murray all sat out extended periods through injury in 2025 as the Rabbitohs slumped to a 14th-placed finish.
“We’ve got two ACLs, we’ve got a broken ankle, we’ve had syndesmosis,” Ryles said on Sunday.
“Unfortunately, Souths had their time last year and we’re having our time this year. The silver lining is that a lot of players get opportunities in and around it. We get to see how they handle first grade.”
Prop forward Teancum Brown is set to become the fourth first-gamer played by the Eels this season following Apa Twidle, Araz Nanva and Saxon Pryke.
The 22-year-old Penrith junior has had to overcome his own injury struggles, including a serious knee issue, on the road to his first game.
Brown has previously been listed in the Eels’ extended game-day squad but a debut has now been confirmed, with his family attending club headquarters on Sunday for his jersey presentation.
“He’s probably gone the longest way possible in regards to getting to first grade,” Ryles said.
“He’s a smart kid, he’s done the work. He’s a big thing that moves well and we’re looking forward to seeing him go tomorrow.”
The Eels were heavy outsiders in their last clash against the Bulldogs in round seven but rallied for a 38-20 upset victory.
Ryles said Parramatta had it in them to make history repeat itself.
“We have enormous belief in the players that are going out for us,” he said.
“We saw a glimpse of where we’re going in that game, certainly. We’ve been trying to stack those performances up and we want to try and do that again tomorrow.”
EELS’ CASUALTY WARD
Mitch Moses (hamstring), Matt Doorey (knee), J’Maine Hopgood (knee), Bailey Simonsson (ankle), Will Penisini (groin), Junior Paulo (knee), Jonah Pezet (hamstring), Jake Tago (jaw), Lincoln Fletcher (hamstring), Richie Penisini (knee).