Parramatta Eels upgrade two players
The Parramatta Eels are pleased to announce that Richard Penisini has been elevated from his development contract to the club’s Top 30 squad, effective immediately. This exciting move marks a significant step in Penisini’s Pathways journey with the Eels and underlines the club’s commitment to nurturing emerging talent.
In another positive development, Ryley Smith has been offered a development contract for 2025 and 2026 seasons. Both players have demonstrated exceptional promise and are seen as key components of the club’s future success.
Parramatta Eels General Manager of Football Mark O’Neill expressed his delight with the changes, stating: “Richard’s promotion to the Top 30 is a reflection of his hard work and dedication. As a local junior, we’ve seen his potential coming through our elite pathways program and are proud to have him take this next step in his career.
“Ryley has been very impressive during the pre-season and thoroughly deserves his promotion to the development list. His leadership, character and skill from dummy half makes our overall squad stronger. We are excited to see him continue to develop with us over the next few years,” added O’Neill.
Penisini showed exciting signs during an impressive 2023 season as a powerful outside back in which he played SG Ball, Jersey Flegg, and made his New South Wales Cup debut. Coming back from an injury he sustained last year, he worked hard on his rehab journey and is now fully fit and ready for the season ahead.
A former Australian Schoolboy, Smith joined the Eels in 2023 and played dummy half for Jersey Flegg and NSW Cup last year.
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Parramatta have ensured Mitch Moses will finish his career at the Eels, extending the halfback’s stay until 2029 in a deal that contains no options for an early exit.
With the future of five-eighth Dylan Brown clouded, Parramatta had faced the prospect of contract talks around Moses this season.
Already signed until the end of next year, Moses would have become a free agent on November 1 if he was not already extended by the Eels at that point.
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But there is now no chance of that becoming an issue, with the No.7 inking an extension that will see him through to his 35th birthday.
Crucially, AAP has been told there are also no options in either party’s favour for the deal to end early, after Parramatta had been plagued by such contracts recently.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
“Mitch has been in consistently good form for many years now but none better than 2024,” Eels football Mark O’Neill said.
“The way he performed in Origin last year was outstanding and proved that he belongs in that arena.
“Being recently appointed captain continues the evolution of his development and is a very proud moment for him, his family and our club.
“Having a player of Mitch’s calibre commit the rest of his career to the Eels is fantastic news for his teammates, our partners, members and the entire Eels community.”
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Moses is expected to line up for Parramatta in round one against Melbourne next Sunday, despite still battling foot pain from an injury suffered last March.
The drama-free nature of the Eels’ captain’s extension will also come as a relief to new coach Jason Ryles.
When Moses re-signed in 2023, a circus surrounded his future and whether he could potentially return to Wests Tigers.
