The Parramatta Eels endured yet another disappointing season in 2026, struggling as their long-running rebuild under the coaching of Jason Ryles continues to struggle to gather pace.
Ryles enters 2027 under pressure.
While all the off-field talk is that the club are actually moving towards extending his contract, it's difficult to understand how that could possibly be the case given a lack of results since he took over.
Ryles has been ruthless in his squad build, although that itself has raised confusion with Jarome Luai to become their second gap-year player in as many campaigns.
The Eels have enough talent around the squad, but it's clear they need a lot more if they are going to push their way up the ladder come 2027.
Here is the state of play for the blue and gold as November 1 looms.
Current 2028 squad
Teancum Brown, Tallyn Da Silva, Charlie Guymer, Isaiah Iongi, Brian Kelly, Spencer Leniu, Mitchell Moses, Christopher Petrus, Saxon Pryke, Jaydn Su'A, Ryda Talagi, Lorenzo Talataina, Sam Tuivaiti, Ronald Volkman
Off-contract at the end of 2027
Josh Addo-Carr, Matt Doorey, Harrison Edwards, Jezaiah Funa-Iuta, J'maine Hopgood, Kitione Kautoga, William Latu, Luca Moretti, Araz Nanva, Joash Papalii, Junior Paulo, Jordan Samrani, Bailey Simonsson, Ryley Smith, Jack Williams
Current 2028 best 19
1. Isaiah Iongi
2. No player signed.
3. Brian Kelly
4. No player signed.
5. No player signed.
6. Ronald Volkman
7. Mitchell Moses
8. Spencer Leniu
9. Tallyn Da Silva
10. Sam Tuivaiti
11. Jaydn Su'A
12. Charlie Guymer
13. Saxon Pryke
Interchange
14. Lorenzo Talataina
15. Ryda Talagi
16. Christopher Petrus
17. Teancum Brown
18. No player signed.
19. No player signed.
What the Eels have for 2028 is a squad that can be almost entirely flipped if they want.
14 players are signed at the time of writing, with more than half a squad to fill, but they will have a mountain of money available.
Of the 14 signed, only Mitchell Moses, Spencer Leniu and Jaydn Su'A are going to be commanding any significant money, leaving the Eels and their recruitment staff with plenty of options heading into 2028.
They need improvements across most of the footy side, although you could argue they will need to focus away from fullback and the halves where they look relatively set.
Here are five players the Eels should target for 2028.
Option 5: Caleb Navale (Manly Sea Eagles)
The Eels do have some young options coming through at lock in their system, but there is no reason they shouldn't go out and target one of the better emerging forwards in the competition.
Navale, off-contract at the end of 2027, has proven beyond all reasonable doubt exactly how good he is playing for Fiji at the World Cup - not that judges watching his progression in recent years needed more proof.
An excellent ball player with a monster engine, he is going to be a big target for a lot of clubs on November 1, and it's hardly a surprise that Manly are desperate for him to stay.
Parramatta, needing re-enforcements in the middle, should be one of the clubs lining up.
