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Can Parramatta play finals in 2026?
Nicholas Quinlan • August 1st, 2025 10:46 am
The Daily Telegraph’s Michael Carayannis believes that the Parramatta Eels are a chance of playing finals next year, under one proviso.
Off the back of their disappointing season last year, which saw their coach Brad Arthur sacked, there wasn’t much hope this season that things would get better in Jason Ryles’ first season in charge of the blue and gold.
And after an initial start of 2-5 this season, which saw the Eels sit at the bottom of the ladder, it appeared that it would take a while before they replicated anything that looked like their 2022 season, which saw them make the Grand Final.
But as they start to get used to Ryles’ game plan, Parramatta is beginning to show positive signs of what they could become with young guns like Joash Papalii and Isaiah Iongi playing important roles.
Thursday night’s 16-10 loss to the Melbourne Storm at Commbank Stadium is evidence of this improvement, given that in Round 1 the Eels lost 56-18 to the Storm at AAMI Park.
This had led Carayannis to believe that if the Eels have star halfback and captain Mitchell Moses up and running for the majority of the season, then they should be considered as a potential finals contender.
“There will be a level of excitement for Parramatta heading into next year,” Carayannis said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“Provided they can get everyone fit and firing, I think it’s going to be a big off-season.
“If you are getting your crystal ball out, there’s a genuine chance of making the top eight next year if Mitch Moses plays 20+ games.”
Moses has had a tough run of injuries across the last two years, which has partially contributed to the Eels' poor displays.
Since 2023, out of a possible 67 games that the halfback could have played, he has only featured in 35.
Currently sitting on 15th on the ladder, they could potentially fall back to 17th if South Sydney and Gold Coast win this week.
Parramatta’s next match will be back at Commbank Stadium as they host the North Queensland Cowboys next Sunday.
