Good news: Parramatta Eels announce a superstar return..

“The hunted”: An important cavalry return gives Arthur a huge lift as he battles for his future — an Eels season preview

After missing the finals in 2023, Michael Ennis thinks the Eels can return to their peak, with Dylan Brown and Shaun Lane playing major roles in a significant comeback season.

The Eels lost several important players from their 2022 Grand Final team, and they lacked the depth to get past injuries and bans during the previous campaign.

Ennis told foxsports.com.au, “I think Parramatta had an interesting year last year.”

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“After winning the championship game the previous year, they had lost three important players in Mahoney, Niukore, and Papali’i.

It took Parramatta some time to adjust when they lost a few important players. They then experienced various suspensions and injuries while they were beginning to adjust.

“Shaun Lane was absent from the team following his successful season the previous year.

“Not having Dylan Brown for a few weeks was a major setback for them.

On its day, that left-side combination is on par with any in the competition.

It will be crucial for them to have those two back in the lineup on a regular basis.

“A Parramatta team with Mitch Moses, Campbell-Gillard, and Paulo, who I believe is only getting better every year.

“I think we will see some huge improvement from Parramatta because they had a great season last year with Garrett and Brown back there.”

For 2024, the Eels made a wise recruiting choice when they acquired Morgan Harper and Kelma Tuilagi from the Sea Eagles.

Ennis thinks that with more depth in the forward and outside back positions, the Eels have a stronger team on paper.

Ennis stated, “Kelum Tuilagi and Morgan Harper will improve the squad. The Eels have lacked depth when injuries strike.”

“They had trouble staying consistent at Manly, but when they’re on their game, they’re elite athletes who will foster healthy competition for spots, which pushes players to put in their best effort and advance.”

There is pressure on Eels coach Brad Arthur, who is in his contract year in 2024 and has only appeared in one Grand Final throughout his 11 full seasons with the team.

Ennis has faith that Arthur can rise to the occasion and lead the side back into the top eight.

Ennis declared, “Brad Arthur is a great coach, he really is.”

He dedicates his entire being to that team, and having reached the grand final in the past, I know how tough it can be the following year.

“Parties follow people, which is why groups like Melbourne, the Roosters, and Penrith, in particular, are so commendable for what they have accomplished.

“Being the hunted and having important individuals go injured, along with changes due to guys leaving, is a huge challenge.

“For Parramatta, it was just one of those years, but coaches are under constant pressure.” Brad has faced similar challenges in the past and has persevered, so I predict that he will do so this year as well.

Here, foxsports.com.au examines every important aspect of the Eels for the 2024 season.

Halfs. The Eels, excluding the Storm and the Panthers for another season, have the best halves tandem in the NRL, and they may surpass them in the future. Moses, an NRL halfback entering 2024, is 29 years old, has played 217 games, is at the top of his game, and has one of the best kicking careers in the league. Brown, who is still only 23 years old, will play in Round 1 for the 100th time. He still has a lot of growth left in him, which is concerning for the other NRL players. The two had individually shown purple areas of form, but if they can both make the same mistake at the same moment, like they did on the charge to

Dylan Brown. Due to the New Zealand five-eighth’s sexual touching ban from the previous season, the Eels failed to make the finals without him. Although Brown cannot be held completely responsible for their bad season, he will be driven to make up for it to his comrades in 2024. Now is Brown’s chance to play up to his high price tag after he inked a huge deal with the Eels that runs through the end of 2031. Since the Eels are no longer fortunate to have a creative dummyhalf, Brown must do a better job of setting up opportunities for his teammates and being a more reliable playmaker when working with Moses.

Hands of Brendan. Since Reed Mahoney defected to the Bulldogs in 2023, the Eels have had difficulty replacing the vacuum that was left. Josh Hodgson signed a two-year contract, but because of an injury, he was medically retired. Brendan Hands, 24, who played 19 games for the club in his first NRL season, was brought to the team from Penrith. While Hands was good but not outstanding, the team added Joey Lussick to strengthen their dummyhalf depth once he returned from the Super League. Next season, the Eels will probably start hands and Lussick together, though it’s unclear who will start and who will come off the bench.