Parramatta Eels roster analysis: Phase two of Jason Ryles’ rebuild hits snag with loan deals, 12 players in limbo

The Eels prop was literally the face of Ryles’ transformation this season, having stripped more than 10kg from his frame to fit the new coach’s game plan.

Now Paulo, 31, enters the final year of his $975,000-a-season contract, where he is unlikely to command the same wage, but remains an important part of the Eels’ set up.

The Eels want to continue to make moves to remould their NRL playing squad this off-season, but are hamstrung by the futures of Ryan Matterson, Brendan Hands and Bailey Simonsson.

For a first-year coach, change does not generally happen as quickly as it did with Ryles.

He moved on a heap of experience as he looked to revolutionise Parramatta’s game style, to one built on pace and fast ball movement.

Largely, their salary cap situation did not hurt them.

Usually when players are forced to move on, the club has to wear a large chunk of their contract, but Parramatta have been somewhat spared.

However, Matterson and Hands are still on the Eels books after they were only able to negotiate short-term loan deals for the pair. While Simonsson was granted permission to look elsewhere but, as it stands, is expected to report back in for pre-season training in November with two years remaining on his contract.

It’s put roster spots at a premium for the Eels, who would love to add another middle to their ranks to compliment their only impending transfer arrival, former St George Illawarra veteran Jack de Belin.

They will look to tie town gun fullback Isaiah Iongi to a long-term deal, adding to their re-signing spree in 2025.

Veteran Josh Addo-Carr is also a free agent come November 1. After returning to his best on the field – while having a major influence on the group off it – he will want to be retained.

Rising young second-rower Jezaiah Funa-Iuta, 19, finished the season with seven NSW Cup appearances and may get a taste of first grade at some point next year, before joining the top-30 squad in 2027.

The other key positional question mark for the Eels surrounds Joash Papalii’s full-time transition from fullback to five-eighth to replace Dylan Brown. He showed glimpses of attacking brilliance but the 21-year-old’s ability to become a consistent NRL half will be the No.1 question the Eels need to answer during the pre-season.

EELS’ CONTRACT ANALYSIS

IN LIMBO

Ryan Matterson

Age: 30

Contract status: Signed until end of 2026

Completed a mid-season loan move to Super League club Warrington, but is returning back to Australia. The Eels will need to stump up the $650,000 owed for the final season of his deal next year.

Brendan Hands

Age: 26

Contract status: Signed until end of 2026

Played out the year on loan at Toulouse Olympique but has another season left with Parramatta. If Toulouse are promoted to the Super League, it is expected that he will remain with the club. Not on big money but would free up a much-needed roster spot for Parramatta.

Bailey Simonsson

Age: 27

Contract status: Signed until end of 2027

Requested, and was granted, permission to explore his options. The outside back has explored the market but, as it stands, is expected back at Parramatta next season.

Dylan Walker

Contract status: Signed until end of 2026

Age: 30

Free agent come November 1, but his form since joining the Eels early in the year has shown he is vital to the style of play Ryles wants to implement. Can easily be offered a contract at extension at the club.

Josh Addo-Carr

Contract status: Signed until end of 2026

Age: 30

Bounced back to great form this season. Will attract interest from Perth if he can’t get a deal done as he will be a strong name to help lead a new franchise. Is worthy of a new contract.

Matt Doorey

Contract status: Signed until end of 2026

Age: 25

Finished the year strong and worthy of being an NRL player. Will need to find the consistency to ensure he can be a weekly selection. With new teams coming will find himself a strong part of any 30-man roster.

Toni Mataele

Contract status: Signed until end of 2026

Age: 22

Made his NRL debut this season, playing just the one game, but now has a stack of NSW Cup games under his belt. Big pre-season will show if he is in NRL calculations.

Junior Paulo

Contract status: Signed until end of 2026

Age: 31

One of the highest-paid players in the game. Was inspirational at times for Parramatta but if he does remain at the club, he will face a significant pay dip.

Charlie Guymer

Contract status: Signed until end of 2026

Age: 20

Started and finished the year in first grade and is highly regarded. Has plenty of upside to be a long-term first grader at the Eels.

Jack de Belin

Contract status: Signed until end of 2026

Age: 34

Joins the Eels on a one-year contract, but the club have an option on his services for 2027. If his form this year is anything to go by they will take up their first rights on him early next year.

Dean Hawkins

Contract status: Signed until end of 2026

Age: 26

Proved to be a handy back-up to Mitchell Moses while playing a career high 12 games. In no rush to extend but may get a crack to partner Moses at some point.

Ronald Volkman

Contract status: Signed until end of 2026

Age: 23

Resurrected his NRL career at Parramatta but was not seen in first grade after round two. Would need a big year to earn a new contract.

FREE AGENTS

Haze Dunster

Contract status: Unsigned

Age: 26

Injuries have got the better of him. Hasn’t played NRL since 2023. May need to settle for a train-and-trial deal somewhere to get one last crack.

Joey Lussick

Contract status: Unsigned

Age: 29

Still no nibbles as his agent tries to land him a deal somewhere.

Wiremu Greig

Contract status: Unsigned

Age: 25

Still on the lookout for an NRL contract. Should be able to land a deal even if it is outside the top 30.

ON THE MOVE

Joe Ofahengaue

Contract status: 2028 with Leigh

Age: 30

Left the club mid-season after being granted a release to ink a long-term deal to join the Super League.

Dylan Brown

Contract status: 2035 with Newcastle

Age: 25

Signed one of the richest deals in the game’s history with a mega decade long contract at Newcastle.

RETIRED

Shaun Lane

Age: 30

Took some time off mid-season after falling out of love with the game and never returned. Finished with 186 career games.

Bryce Cartwright

Age: 30

Walked away mid-season to play out the season with junior club St Marys after failing to feature in the top grade this year.

LONG-TERM DEALS

Mitchell Moses

Age: 31

Contract status: Signed until the end of 2029

Ryles can build his long-term roster around one of the game’s premier halfbacks. Moses showed, when fit, he’s a difference maker for both Parramatta and the NSW Blues.

Tallyn Da Silva

Age: 20

Contract status: Signed until the end of 2029

A welcome mid-season pick-up from the Wests Tigers, Da Silva and Ryley Smith give the Eels a one-two punch at hooker.

Zac Lomax

Age: 25

Contract status: Signed until the end of 2028

Despite being contracted until the end of 2028, Lomax has come onto the radar for Rugby 360. The Eels are aware of the interest in their star outside back which could come to a head in the off-season.

J’maine Hopgood

Age: 26

Contract status: Signed until the end of 2027

Fits Jason Ryles’ playing style perfectly. The ball-playing lock even transitioned into prop at the back end of 2025.

Jack Williams

Age: 29

Contract status: Signed until the end of 2027

Parramatta’s player of the year enjoyed career highs in almost every statistical category in his first season with the club.

Jordan Samrani

Age: 23

Contract status: Signed until the end of 2027

The Eels were able to land Samrani from Canterbury to offer competition for spots in the backline. Rangy and strong, he could be an option as an edge forward.

Isaiah Iongi

Age: 22

Contract status: Signed until the end of 2027

The Eels are keen to extend the contract of Iongi, who quickly owned the fullback jumper and proved Jason Ryles’ shrewdest signing.

Kitione Kautoga

Age: 23

Contract status: Signed until the end of 2027

Took his NRL opportunity with both hands and impressed in several early season performances, earning a contract extension in the middle of the year.

Luca Moretti

Age: 25

Contract status: Signed until the end of 2027

Sam Tuivaiti

Age: 20

Contract status: Signed until the end of 2027

The rookie prop is the future pack leader of the Eels. Injury limited him to 11 starts off the interchange bench for the Eels, but his impact was undeniable.

Jezaiah Funa-Luta

Age: 19

Contract status: Signed until the end of 2027

Has gone from the SG Ball grand final team to NSW Cup this season, after the Eels rewarded him with a contract extension to move into the NRL squad in 2027.

Ryley Smith

Age: 22

Contract status: Signed until the end of 2027

Usurped Joey Lussick and Brendan Hands to secure the No.9 jumper in his NRL rookie season, and will now battle Tallyn Da Silva to be the long-term starting hooker.

Will Latu

Age: 22

Contract status: Signed until the end of 2027

Despite still being on a development deal next season, expect the powerful back-rower to push for an NRL debut. Strong ball runner whose breakout NSW Cup campaign was only slowed by a knee injury.