In a stunning turn of events, coach Jason Ryles has named a drastically reshaped Parramatta Eels squad to take on the Brisbane Broncos — noticeably without several seasoned stars due to injury setbacks.
Who’s Out?
Mitchell Moses (halfback & captain): Ruled out for approximately six weeks with a stress reaction in his left foot .
Bailey Simonsson (winger): Still in recovery from ACL reconstruction, expected to be sidelined into the early rounds .
J’Maine Hopgood (forward): Targeting late-January to early-February return after back and knee issues .
Isaiah Iongi (back): Out for at least four weeks, recovering from a broken hand sustained in Round 20 .
What This Means
Ryles has taken a bold approach, leaving out these experienced players to field fresh talent and send a message about renewal. With the spine and backline noticeably depleted — and despite some recent defensive improvements — Parramatta heads into a difficult test against the in-form Broncos.
Looking Ahead
Ryles will be relying on younger squad members to bridge the gap. The absence of Moses and Simonsson removes leadership and depth, while Hopgood and Iongi’s injuries add further pressure to the forward rotation and cutting edge.
This is a clear sign Ryles is reshaping the team’s direction — but it carries significant risk against a strong Broncos outfit.
