Opinion and analysis, Parramatta Eels set to rise after Zac Lomac Saga, Jason Ryles impact, Reece Walsh vs Nathan Cleary, Paul Crawley

The great Jack Gibson would have every reason to be looking down on this current Parramatta administration and smiling proudly after the events of this week.

As the coach who famously led the charge during the Eels’ golden era famously said: “Winning starts in the front office”.

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Well, if big Jack was right (which he most often was), then Parramatta fans have every reason to go into this NRL season with a new lease of life.

Because I can’t remember a time since Gibson was coaching — and Denis Fitzgerald oversaw the club — that Parramatta has shown strong leadership like what has been highlighted/exposed throughout this messy Zac Lomax saga.

While the polarising Fitzgerald may not have been everyone’s cup of tea, what he could never be accused of was being someone’s lackey.

And because of that he was never bullied into making decisions that would favour others ahead of his own.

Now chairman Matthew Beach and chief executive Jim Sarantinos have taken on the might of the Melbourne Storm _ and walked away with a knockout victory.

They also refused to be swayed by the sizeable influence and power of Peter V’landys, who made no secret of the fact he wanted Lomax back in the game this year.

As far as off-field stoushes between rival clubs go, this was the NRL’s version of David taking on Goliath.

But instead of buckling to the ‘blowtorch’ threats made by the Storm, the Eels stood their ground and took it all the way to the Supreme Court.

Then at the 11th hour, not only did the Storm concede defeat, but sensationally agreed to pay Lomax’s legal costs, while reportedly chipping in $250,000 to help cover Parramatta’s expenses.

It was a result that sent shockwaves around the game, with rival club bosses gobsmacked and in awe of what Parramatta had achieved in seemingly unwinnable circumstances.

Now we get to see what impact this will have on the Eels on the field when they take on the Storm in a round one blockbuster at AAMI Park.

But regardless of whether the Eels win, lose or draw here, fans should be celebrating the fact that finally their club has rediscovered the DNA established in the Gibson/Fitzgerald era.

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NO ONE PLAYER IS BIGGER THAN THE GAME

Yes, Parramatta has lost gun winger out of it.

But from it comes newfound respect.

While the credibility of the game remains far bigger than losing any one player.

Just as it did when Israel Folau walked out on rugby league.

Or when Sonny Bill Williams quit the Bulldogs.

Think Wendell Sailor, Lote Tuqiri and Mat Rogers, who all left to play rugby union.

Was rugby league the worse for it?

Or did other young talents emerge and grab hold of their opportunities?

For generations this has been one of game’s greatest success stories.

How it always regenerates from within.

And whether Lomax turns up in rugby next or at a rival NRL club, what is without question is that the entire game should thank Parramatta for the resolve that has been shown here.

More than anything, what the Eels have done is give back credibility to an NRL contract system that fans lost faith in long ago.

It’s been one of the greatest dilutions over the past 30 years.

Now rival clubs gain belief that they too can dig in and do what is right when these sorts of matters come around next time.

EELS’ RISE UNDER RYLES

Jason Ryles’ influence throughout this also can’t be understated.

When Lomax initially went to Ryles and told him that he wanted to chase an opportunity outside the NRL in R360, Ryles was left with no option but wipe his hands of one of the game’s elite talents and move forward.

Because what is the use of keeping a player who doesn’t want to be there?

But it was Lomax who then agreed to the terms of Parramatta’s release.

Meanwhile, Ryles kept his focus on the job he was employed to do.

And while Ryles was also ridiculed for agreeing to the one-year deal handed to former Storm young gun Jonah Pezet before his pending move to Brisbane, do we still look back on that with contempt?

Or is it a savvy deal that has perhaps paved the way for future deals?

People also forget that it was only a year ago Ryles threw a lifeline to Josh Addo-Carr.

At the time the Fox was well and truly on the nose and lucky to get a footprint back in the game after his messy exit from the Bulldogs.

Many thought the Eels were making a mistake taking a gamble on him.

But from the moment he arrived at Parramatta, Addo-Carr bought into what Ryles’ coaching philosophy was all about and his career flourished as a result.

Now Addo-Carr has the title as a current Australian Kangaroos winger.

Who would have thought that when he arrived from Belmore?

I also think back to a game against Newcastle in 2024 when a livid Mitchell Moses walked into the dressing sheds and vented his frustrations after a shock defeat.

Moses reportedly said at the time what was considered a direct swipe at the club’s administration: “No one outside this room is going to help us get out of this, so we’ll have to do it ourselves”.

Yet some 40 years after winning the club’s last premiership, the players, coach and leaders of a once sinking ship appear to be finally back rowing in the same direction.

And in the back of my mind, I keep thinking of the fact that this season also marks the 40th anniversary of Parramatta’s last premiership win.

Over the years there has always been these little quirks of history that pop up every now.

And while John Monie was the coach in 1986, it was a decade of success built on the back of Gibson’s genius.

But as the original supercoach conceded, football teams don’t succeed without strong leadership to build the foundations.

HAS WALSH OVERTAKEN CLEARY AS NRL’S TOP PLAYER?

Nathan Cleary v Reece Walsh is the individual match up I’m most looking forward to in round one.

Sure, these two don’t go one-on-one in the traditional sense.

Cleary is a halfback, Walsh the electric fullback.

But is Cleary still the game’s best player?

Or has the Broncos’ lightning bolt taken over the crown?

Because this is the forgotten storyline that came in the aftermath of the Broncos’ stunning premiership triumph.

How the game’s best halfback allowed the Panthers to butcher their shot at five straight titles after blowing a 14-point lead in that prelim final loss to the Broncos.

And while on the back of their grand final victory the Broncos have commanded huge media space throughout the off-season, the Panthers have somehow managed to fly under the radar as they prepare to prove their dynasty is not dead yet.

After their shocking start to last season, almost everyone is expecting the Panthers to start fast this year.

On the contrary, many think the Broncos may struggle on the back of Payne Haas’ shock call to exit next year.

While it’s only round one, we will earn a lot about the mindset of both teams in this one.

Even though they’re playing at Suncorp, I expect Cleary’s Panthers will be out to make a statement early.

PAYNE’S DECISION MUST SPARK LATRELL TO LIFE

Still on the aftershock of Haas’ contract bombshell, and all eyes will also be on Latrell Mitchell when the Rabbitohs take on the Dolphins.

Of course, it’s been revealed how Mitchell and new recruit David Fifita played a significant role in enticing Haas to leave the Broncos.

And while there has been a lot said about the impact Haas’ decision will have on Souths when he arrives next year, for now it is up to Latrell to lead the way to show the Rabbitohs can be a force in 2026.

When Mitchell puts his mind to it, there is not a more influential player in the game.

But too often he drifts in and out of the contest, leaving his teammates vulnerable to his mood swings.

While the move back to the centres this year will lessen Mitchell’s workload, he still has to find a way to get himself involved at every opportunity.

If Souths are to realise their potential in 2026, they need Mitchell to lead the way.

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