Parramatta players insist their club would be finals-bound if the season ran just 10 weeks longer.
Jason Ryles’ men began the year anchored to the bottom of the ladder, opening with a 56-18 loss in Melbourne.
But the Eels have stormed home to finish 2025 as one of the league’s form sides, most recently beating the Warriors, Roosters & Broncos.
Now, attention is turning to what this young group can achieve in 2026.
Signs of growth under Ryles
Parramatta have won four of their last six matches, including three against current top-eight teams.
It marks vindication of Ryles’ decision to reshape the roster, farewelling stalwarts such as Maika Sivo, Clint Gutherson, Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Joe Ofahengaue.
In their place, rookies Isaiah Iongi, Ryley Smith and Joash Papalii have stepped up to announce themselves as genuine NRL talents.
“We’ve gelled a lot the last couple of rounds,” Iongi told AAP.
“Ten more rounds and we’d be in a good position to put ourselves in the finals. It’s just a foot forward for next year.”
Penisini confident in rebuild
Will Penisini, who played his 100th NRL game in Round 26, believes the foundations are set for 2026.
The 22-year-old has already experienced the highs of a grand final in 2022 and the lows of three straight years without finals footy.
“The last couple of weeks we’ve built a bit of momentum,” Penisini said.
“If we had another 10 rounds, who knows what would’ve happened.
“It’s our first year under Ryles and a lot of people’s first year in the NRL as well. It gives us confidence going to pre-season next year.”
Iongi’s breakout year
At fullback, Isaiah Iongi has been one of Parramatta’s brightest stories of 2025.
The 22-year-old is in contention to become the Eels’ first Dally M Rookie of the Year since Jarryd Hayne in 2006.
“It would be a really cool experience to have that achievement,” Iongi said.
“Mum said last week how much of a good year I’ve had. I didn’t really expect it to turn out the way it did.”
Iongi joined Parramatta after a single game for Penrith, stepping into the No.1 jersey vacated by Gutherson and quickly becoming a fan favourite.
“Pretty much every day since I’ve been here it’s been surreal,” he said.
“It’s good to see the fans here at Parramatta as well, all the little kids that know me. It’s crazy.”
Looking ahead to 2026
With momentum building, the Eels believe their late-season rise is just the beginning.
As the club looks to return to the finals for the first time since 2022, players insist the rebuild has laid the platform for success.
