Embattled Eels and Bulldogs prepare for battle amid injury crises and off-field chaos

The Bulldogs, meanwhile, have spent the best part of the season waging war on critics who have rounded on the club in the wake of their slow start to the year.

Two NRL giants started the season with grand ambitions.

But those hopes have been hijacked by insult and injury – and more recently the ever-increasing influence of social media – as they prepare to meet on Monday at Accor Stadium.

The winner will get some respite. The loser will be under the gun.

It may only be round 14, but already it feels like every game has become a must-win for the Eels and Bulldogs, even if there have been excuses for their efforts thus far.

Parramatta, in particular, have been decimated by injury – captain and talisman Mitchell Moses has managed 11 appearances.

But even when he has taken the field, he has at times looked limited by niggling injuries.

Jonah Pezet was signed to help alleviate some of the concerns in his absence, but he has suffered a series of hamstring injuries that have meant he has only played only five times in the NRL and is now facing a long stretch on the sidelines.

They have been the tip of the iceberg for an Eels outfit that has had no luck.

Parramatta and their coach Jason Ryles kicked off their year with top eight aspirations, but those lofty ambitions have quickly gone by the wayside and their attempts to strengthen their roster for next season continue to hit frustrating roadblocks.

The Bulldogs are on the lookout as well as they attempt to live up to pre-season hype that had them among the favourites to win the competition.

They have flattered to deceive at times. They produced one of the performances of the season to beat Penrith in round six, but have since won only once.

Amid those defeats was a shattering loss to Parramatta the next week. Since that monumental performance, the Eels have had only one win.

Now, frustration is growing for both clubs heading into Monday’s mega-clash at Accor Stadium as they face the sobering reality that their seasons are slipping away.

THE MISSING PIECES

Parramatta will run out against the Bulldogs on Monday with roughly $5.5 million – or nearly half – of their salary cap on the sideline.

Moses headlines a list of absentees that also includes Pezet, Junior Paulo, Will Penisini, Bailey Simonsson and J’Maine Hopgood.

Throw in Ryan Matterson, who has this year remaining on his contract but isn’t expected to play again as he documents his recovery from concussion on social media, and you get a sense of the hurdles Ryles has had to overcome this season.

Injury has meant that Ryles has been unable to put his stamp on the club.

Rather than Moses and Pezet in the halves, the club’s fortunes will rest in the hands of Ronald Volkman and Joash Papalii on Monday.

Between them, they have played 24 games in first grade.

The side is unrecognisable compared to the outfit that Ryles would likely have anticipated when the season began, and helps explain why the club hasn’t made the leap forward that many expected in his second season in charge.

The Bulldogs haven’t been exempt from injury either. Both their starting back rowers – Viliame Kikau and Jacob Preston – have been out for extended periods.

And boom half Mitchell Woods remains sidelined while struggling with hamstring problems that have stymied his growth.

CHASING CHANGE

Parramatta have money to spend next season and are desperate to use it.

They have been linked with a host of players in recent weeks and are primed and ready to make a move in coming months.

They could have even more to spend depending on Paulo’s future – he has an offer on the table for one more season, but is yet to take it up.

Significantly, the Eels are closely monitoring Spencer Leniu’s future at the Sydney Roosters amid talk that he could be up for grabs at the end of the season.

Leniu has one year remaining on his big money deal, but the Eels are one of the few clubs in the game who have the salary cap space to accommodate him in 2027.

The Eels are also looking for outside backs.

And it is understood they are among several clubs keeping an eye on Penrith centre Jesse McLean, who hasn’t been able to force his way into the NRL side.

The older brother of NSW and New Zealand centre Casey McLean, Jesse has been on a rampage for the Panthers in the NSW Cup.

He has scored five tries in his past three games and earlier this year played a stormer against Parramatta.

The other name that keeps getting linked with the Eels is Bulldogs five-eighth Matt Burton.

He has another year remaining on his deal at the Bulldogs, but his future is expected to reach a flashpoint in the off-season.

The Bulldogs have opened contract talks with Burton over an extension, but his future is likely to be guided by his salary demands and what position he expects to play.

The Eels will accommodate him at five-eighth and pay him a wage to match.

The Bulldogs have been busy themselves and could get even busier depending on how things shake out in coming months.

Centre Bronson Xerri has regained and retained his place in first grade, but the rumour mill continues to link him with a potential move at the end of the season.

Parramatta and Melbourne are likely to take a look should the Bulldogs decide to let him go. One thing is clear – head of football Phil Gould won’t sit on his hands. He never does.

The NRL’s resident Tinkerman had a nibble at Connor Watson before he agreed to join St George Illawarra for 12 months next year ahead of a move to PNG.

He has met with the likes of Sam Verrills and Luke Metcalf in recent weeks.

Gould never sits still.

MAKING A STAND

The Eels’ build-up to Monday’s game has been overshadowed by a stoush involving the Talking Parra podcast and its creator, Adam Martin.

Martin posted an email from the club on his Instagram account earlier this week from Parramatta’s membership team informing him that his captain’s club membership had been suspended effective immediately amid allegations of inappropriate behaviour.

The letter said the club would not accept or tolerate personal or abusive commentary. Martin also revealed that the NRL’s legal team had contacted him.

He added: “At this point, we would simply like to move forward. However, we would also like honesty and transparency from the club about the real reason behind these actions.

“We would like to make it clear we don’t encourage any threatening, abusive or physical behaviour towards any fan, member or staff member of the Parramatta Eels.“

The Eels say they felt compelled to act given their intolerance for “false and misleading allegations directed towards staff and players or other members of the club or are designed to damage the reputations of individuals”.

It’s been an ugly spat that has been played out in a very public way, highlighting a restless supporter group and a leadership regime who are becoming increasingly fed up with the criticism that has been levelled at them.

The Bulldogs haven’t been exempt either.

Earlier this week, fullback Jacob Kiraz lashed out at the abuse of half Lachlan Galvin, while coach Cameron Ciraldo has spoken out about dealing with rumours and distractions that have enveloped his squad.

The problem for both clubs is that losing only leaves them open to more scrutiny.

The Bulldogs, in particular, have become a lightning rod for criticism this season given how they finished last year and the polarising presence of Gould.

They were in the mix for a premiership until they shuffled the side and slumped at the back end of the year. This season started well, but has slowly gone south.

Which brings us to Monday afternoon at Accor Stadium and a desperate battle for peace and top eight survival.

For two sides languishing outside finals contention, plenty is at stake. One will walk away with a brief shield from the critics. The other will face a fresh round of scrutiny.