Parramatta are disappointed to be watching the NRL finals this weekend – but the mood was upbeat on Tuesday as the Eels celebrated an encouraging end to their 2025 campaign with their glamorous partners.
Commbank Stadium was the venue as the likes of Mitchell Moses, Josh Addo-Carr, departing five-eighth Dylan Brown and coach Jason Ryles kicked back at the Ken Thornett Medal night.
Jack Williams took home the club’s Player of the Year gong, while Moses was awarded the Nathan Hindmarsh NRL Players’ Player trophy.
Fullback Isaiah Iongi snared the Eric Grothe Snr NRL Rookie of the Year and Blue & Gold Army NRL Player of the Year while prop Junior Paulo claimed the Jack Gibson NRL Coaches Award.
The likes of Brown and backrower Shaun Lane were also farewelled.
Speaking after his team’s thumping 66-10 win over Newcastle to round out the season, Ryles stressed plenty of work still needs to be done before Parramatta become a legitimate title contender.
They finished in 11th spot – but the signs are encouraging ahead of 2026.
‘I think there were a lot of games where we were in them….you kind of look back on it and think, what if?’ Ryles said.
‘We are just continuing to improve each week, little improvements.
‘We are slowly getting results, the scoreboard is always the last thing to change.
‘For me and the playing group, we are on a journey. This is to be continued and we need to get back in to really good shape so that we can give ourselves a chance to continue to get better (for next season).’
Ryles added he knows who his first choice spine will be in 2026 – and admitted his debut season in charge was ‘a wild ride’ early on.
‘We will look to continue to improve each individual, give them the environment to be the best they can be,’ he said.
‘There was a lot of uncertainty (this season) which led to enormous changes.
‘It was a wild ride early on. We just had to hold our nerve.
‘I probably don’t want to go through that again anytime soon, but it was a great experience.’
