Parramatta Eels 2023 NRL Preview & Predictions

<p>Grand Final heartbreak, the loss of key players and one of the toughest draws in the competition, these are just some of the things the Parramatta Eels will have to deal with heading into the new season.</p> <p>The Eels fell one win short of ending the longest premiership drought in the NRL last season after making their first decider in over a decade.</p> <p>Totally outclassed by Penrith from the first whistle to the last on that occasion, can the Eels pick themselves up and go again in 2023?</p> <p>It will be harder than ever for the Western Sydney club, with two of their biggest stars being poached by rival clubs. This means the Parramatta Eels predicted team for round one will look a lot different to the one that came up short against the Panthers in the GF.</p> <p>Can the Eels overcome these losses, their tough draw and the bitter disappointment of their Grand Final embarrassment to finally return to the pinnacle of Rugby League? Read our Parramatta Eels preview below.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Key Gains</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <ul> <li><strong><em>Josh Hodgson (Canberra Raiders)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>J’maine Hopgood (Penrith Panthers)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Daejarn Asi (New Zealand Warriors)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Matt Doorey (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Jirah Momoisea (Newcastle Knights)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Jack Murchie (New Zealand Warriors)</em></strong></li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>There have been sweeping changes across the board for the Eels, with head coach Brad Arthur bringing in a host of players he hopes to develop into the next batch of Blue and Gold superstars.</p> <p>J’maine Hopgood has been poached for Penrith, with the view of making him the Eels new starting lock forward.</p> <p>Meanwhile, fringe first-graders Daejarn Asi, Matt Doorey, Jirah Momoisea and Jack Murchie have all relocated to Western Sydney in the hope of making a name for themselves.</p> <p>The biggest addition however, is that of Josh Hodgson, the veteran rake who has been plagued by injuries over the last few years will have the unenviable task of replacing Reed Mahoney who has departed for the Bulldogs.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Key Losses</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <ul> <li><strong><em>Reed Mahoney (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Isaiah Papali’i (Wests Tigers)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Marata Niukore (New Zealand Warriors)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Oregon Kaufusi (Cronulla Sharks)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Tom Opacic (Hull Kingston Rovers)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Hayze Perham (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Ray Stone (The Dolphins)</em></strong></li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>There’s no two ways about it, the Eels have been gutted. Marata Niukore, Oregon Kaufusi and Ray Stone have all departed leaving their depth in the forwards more than a little thin.</p> <p>The two biggest losses for Parramatta however are easily that of Isaiah Papali’i and Reed Mahoney. Both have arguably been the Eels standout performers over the last two seasons and are verging on irreplaceable.</p> <p>The Blue and Gold’s head-scratching decision to lowball both stars, which forced them to look elsewhere, could very well come back to bite them.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Player To Watch</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><em>Josh Hodgson</em></strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Englishman Josh Hodgson has left the nation’s capital after seven years to finish his career with the Parramatta Eels.</p> <p>Given the task of replacing fan-favourite Reed Mahoney, Hodgson will have his work cut out for him from jump.</p> <p>There is no questioning his ability as a dummy half, but at 33 years of age and with an injury record to rival Wile E. Coyote after the Road Runner is finished with him, there are serious doubts over just how much time he will actually spend on the field.</p> <p>However, if Hodgson can finally overcome his shocking run of injuries and get back to the footy he was playing when he first joined the Raiders, he could prove to be a very astute signing for the Eels.</p> <p>A noted game manager, Hodgson plays more like a second halfback than dummy half at times. The silver lining to his veteran status is the experience he will bring to a relatively youthful Parramatta setup.</p> <p>His influence in the locker room could prove to be invaluable for the Eels, but another serious injury could end both their season and his career.</p> <p>No matter which way it goes, Hodgson’s maiden season in Blue and Gold will be one to keep an eye on.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>

<h3>Parramatta Eels’ Season Prediction</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em>Predicted finish: <strong>10th</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Despite making last year’s Grand Final, 2023 isn’t shaping up all that well for the Eels.</p> <p>They begin their campaign against the Melbourne Storm who have not lost an opening round game for over 20 years, yes, 20 years – gulp.</p> <p>Boom back rower Ryan Matterson is also suspended for their opening three games making matters even worse.</p> <p>If Brad Arthur can’t get the best out of their new recruits to fill the void left by Papali’i, Mahoney and Niukore another Parra capitulation could be on the cards.</p> <p>After making the Grand Final it may seem crazy to think the Eels could slide out of the top 8 altogether, but for the Western Sydney outfit it would be an all too familiar feeling.</p> <p>After finishing 4th in 2017, the Eels seemingly imploded to finish dead last the following season.</p> <p>With a track record of trading the sublime for the ridiculous, don't be surprised to see Parra slither down the ladder in 2023.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Parramatta Eels’ Predicted Team For Round 1</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <ol> <li>Clint Gutherson</li> <li>Maika Sivo</li> <li>Will Penisini</li> <li>Waqa Blake</li> <li>Bailey Simonsson</li> <li>Dylan Brown</li> <li>Mitchell Moses</li> <li>Reagan Campbell-Gillard</li> <li>Josh Hodgson</li> <li>Junior Paulo</li> <li>Shaun Lane</li> <li>Bryce Cartwright</li> <li>J'maine Hopgood</li> <li>Jakob Arthur</li> <li>Nathan Brown</li> <li>Jack Murchie</li> <li>Makahesi Makatoa</li> </ol>